PROCEEDINGS 

AT    THE 

CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 

OF    THE 

FIRST  COMPANY 

£ 


HARTFORD,  OCTOBER  19,  1871. 
itfo  an  psstuviat  Introduction. 


HARTFORD,  CONK: 
PUBLISHED  BY  GEER  &  POND,  BOOKSELLERS. 

1872. 


PROCEEDINGS 


CENTENNIAL  CELEBRATION 


HARTFORD,  OCTOBER  19,  1871. 


m  Dttjrt0ri«U 


HARTFORD,  CONN.: 
PUBLISHED  BY  GEEK  &  POND,  BOOKSELLERS. 

1872. 


PRESS  OP 

WII.ET,   WATERMAN  &  EATON, 
HARTFORD,   CONN. 


ALTHOUGH  the  proceedings  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary 
were  fully  and  faithfully  reported  in  the  papers  of  the 
day,  a  wish  has  been  expressed  by  many  of  the  past  and 
present  members  of  the  company,  that  the  proceedings 
might  be  gathered  and  preserved  in  a  more  enduring  form, 
together  with  such,  other  matter  as  might  appertain  to  the 
subject,  to  be  handed  down  to  posterity.  In  accordance 
therewith,  the  compiler  has  given  an  historical  sketch  of 
the  company,  and  an  account  of  the  "  Veteran  Corps," 
which  he  trusts  will  meet  the  approval  of  all  who  have  ever 
served  the  State  of  Connecticut  in  the  ranks  of  the  "  Old 
Guard." 

Kespectfully, 

L.  E.  HUNT, 

Sec'y  Veteran  Corps. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


"  THE  FIRST  COMPANY  OF  GOVERNOR'S  FOOT  GUARD  " 
was  chartered  by  the  Colonial  Legislature  of  Connecticut, 
at  the  session  of  the  General  Assembly  held  in  New  Haven, 
October,  1771,  under  the  name  of  "  the  Governor's  Guard."* 
The  causes  which  led  to  its  formation  are  fully  set  forth  in 
Mr.  DEMING'S  admirable  address,  and  need  not  be  repeated 
here.  The  following  is  the  petition,  and  the  petition  in  aid, 
for  a  charter: — 

PETITION. 

To /the  Honourable  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticutt, 
to  be  held  at  New  Haven  on  the  second  Thursday  of  October 
Instant — 

The  Memorial  of  us  the  Subscribers  Humbly  Sheweth :  That  it  is 
with  Considerable  Expense  and  Trouble  that  the  Standing  Military 
Cornpanys  in  Hartford  Equip  themselves  to  wait  on  the  General 
Assembly  at  the  General  Elections  and  that  their  Turns  come  but 
Once  in  many  Years — and  then  it  is  with  Difficulty  they  are  able  to 
perform  said  Duty  so  as  to  Do  Honour  to  the  Ceremony — and  that 
your  Memorialists  Conceive  it  would  be  for  the  Honour  of  Govern- 
ment that  a  Company  be  Constituted  to  perform  said  Service  and 
Ceremony  Constantly,  and  that  your  Memorialists  are  willing  to 
Undertake  Said  Task  and  Duty  in  Case  they  may  be  exempt  from 
other  Military  Duty  in  the  Colony — therefore  pray  your  Hon"  to 
Constitute  and  Incorporate  us  the  Subscribers  into  a  Distinct  Military 
Company  by  the  Name  of  the  Governor's  Guard,  Consisting  of  Sixty 
four  rank  and  file  in  Number,  Exclusive  of  Commission  Officers — and 
that  they  be  under  the  Direction  of  the  field  Officers  of  the  Regiment 
— and  have  Power  to  Elect  and  Nominate  their  own  Officers  from 
time  to  time  as  Occasion  may  require  under  the  direction  of  sd  field 


*  By  the  subsequent  formation  of  the  Second  Company  of  Foot  Guard  and  the  First 
and  Second  Companies  of  Horse  Guard,  the  corporate  name  was  changed  to  it?  present 
title. 


6 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


Officers — and  to  inlist  and  receive  into  said  Company  as  shall  be 
necessary  in  Case  of  Death  or  removal  of  any  of  said  Company,  and 
that  said  Company  shall  be  Obliged  to  perform  said  service  and  Duty 
Annually  and  to  dress  uniformly  and  be  equipt  with  Suitable  Arms 
as  the  Colonel  of  sd  Regiment  shall  direct — which  your  Memorialists 
Conceive  may  be  done  without  prejudice  to  any  of  the  Military 
Companies  already  by  Law  Established— and  your  Memorialists  as  in 
Duty  bound  shall  ever  pray. 

Dated  at  Hartford  the  2nd  day  of  October,  A.D.  1771. 


SAML.  WYLLYS. 
JAMES  TILEY. 
DANIEL  COTTON. 
ELIAKIM  FISH. 
WM.  BURR. 
DANL.  GOODWIN,  JR. 
NATII.  GOODWIN. 
TIMOTHY  LEDLIE. 
JAMES  JEPSON. 
CALEB  BULL,  JUNR. 
HEZEKIAH  WYLLYS. 
JOSEPH  CHURCH,  JUNR. 
WM.  LAWRENCE. 
JOHN  CALDWELL. 
ELIHU  EGLESTON. 
JOHN  NIVINS. 
ISRAEL  SEYMOUR. 
EBENR-  AUSTIN. 
STEPHEN  AUSTIN. 
CHARLES  HOPKINS. 

El.ISHA   BURNHAM. 

JOHN  LAWRENCE,  JUNR. 
EDWARD  BODGE. 
ELISHA  LORD. 
HEZH-  MERRELLS. 
SAML.  BURR. 
JNO.  CALDER. 
NATHL.  SKINNER. 
JAMES  BULL. 
AUSTIN  LEDYARD. 
FREDERICK  BULL. 
WILLIAM  KNOX. 
EBENR-  WATSON. 


JOSEPH  REED. 
EPAPS-  BULL. 
CONSIDER  BURT. 
COTTON  MURRAY. 
BENJN.  MORRISON. 
JAMES  ADDAMS. 
WILLM.  BULL. 
JONTH-  BUTLER. 
JONATHAN  BULL. 
BEVIL  WATERS. 
AARON  SEYMOUR. 
JAMES  HUMPHRYS. 
ISAAC  VAUGHAN. 
LEMUEL  STEEL. 
JOHN  DODD. 
TIMOTHY  STEELE. 
ELISHA  DODD. 
RICHARD  SKINNER. 
JONATHAN  STEEL. 
THOS.  SLOAN. 
ROBERT  SLOAN. 
JAMES  BUNCE,  JNR. 
SAMUEL  KILBOURN. 
NOAH  WASHBURN. 
THOMAS  STEELE. 
MOSES  KELLOGG. 
THOS.  CONVERSE. 
ABEL  STONE. 
DANIEL  SKINNER,  JUNR. 
EDWARD  DODD,  JUNR. 
THEODORE  SKINNER. 
OZIAS  GOODWIN,  JUNR. 
JOHN  COOK. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


PETITION"  IN  AID. 

To  the  Honorable  General  Assembly  of  the  Colony  of  Connecticut^ 

to  be  Convened  at  New  Haven  on  the  second  Thursday  of  Ocf 

Instant. 

The  memorial  of  us  the  subscribers  all  of  Hartford,  Humbly 
sheweth,  That  it  is  with  Considerable  Expense  that  the  Military 
Companys  of  sd  Hartford  Equip  themselves  to  wait  on  the  General 
Assembly  on  the  General  Election  Days  held  at  said  Hartford,  and 
that  their  Turns  come  but  once  in  many  years  which  makes  it  difficult 
for  them  to  perform  said  duty  so  as  to  do  Honour  to  the  Government 
— and  that  your  Hon8  Memorialists  humbly  conceive  it  would  be 
greatly  to  the  Honour  of  this  Colony  were  there  a  distinct  and 
seperate  Company  formed  and  Established  for  that  purpose,  and  that 
said  Company  should  be  exempt  so  long  as  they  continued  such  from 
all  other  military  Duty  &  Exercise,  and  your  Honrs  Memorialists 
having  seen  a  Memorial  (bearing  date  Octr-  3d  1771)  preferred  to  your 
Honrs  at  your  session  in  Octr-  Instant  by  Messrs  Samuel  Wyllys,  James 
Tiley  &c.  praying  that  they  may  be  Constituted  and  Incorporated 
into  an  entire  and  distinct  Military  Company  by  the  Name  of  the 
Governors  Guard — 

Whereupon  your  Honrs  Memorialists  pray  that  the  sd  Memorialists 
Messrs  Wyllys,  Tiley  &c.  may  be  Constituted  and  Incorporated  into  a 
distinct  Company  by  the  Name  of  the  Governors  Guard,  and  that 
they  may  have  all  the  Powers  and  Privileges  prayed  for  in  their  said 
Memorial,  not  in  the  Least  doubting  but  that  they  will  be  punctual  in 
their  attendance  and  performance  on  said  Election  Days  and  do 
Honour  to  the  Colony— and  your  Hon™  Memorialists  as  in  Duty 
bound,  shall  ever  pray. 

Dated  at  Hartford  the  8th  day  of  Ocf-  1771. 

JONATHAN  SEYMOR.  JAMES  NICHOLS. 

DANL.  BULL.  THOS.  HOPKINS. 

WM.  TILEY.  JOSEPH  BARRETT. 

JAMES  CHURCH.  CALEB  BULL. 

Jos.  BUNCE.  SOLOMON  SMITH. 

EBEN'ER.  BARNARD.  JOHN  SKINER,  JUNR. 

MOSES  BUTLER.  SAMUEL  MARSH. 

AARON  BULL.  JNO.  KEITH. 

JOSEPH  SHELDON.  JNO.  H.  LORD. 

JOHN  CHENEVARD. 


g  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

The  General  Assembly  granted  the  charter,  which  was  in 
the  following  words ;  viz. : — 

CHARTER. 

At  a  General  Assembly  of  the  Governor  and  Company  of  his  Majesty's 
English   Colony   of    Connecticut  in  New   England  in   America 
holden  at  New  Haven  in  said  Colony  on  the  second  Thursday 
of  October  and  continued  by  several  adjournments  to  the  first  day 
of  November  next  following,  Annoque  Domini  1771. 
Upon  the  memorial  of  Samuel  Wyllys,  James  Tiley,  Daniel  Cotton, 
Eliakitn  Fish,  Hezekiah  Wyllys,  Daniel  Goodwin,  Junr.,  Nathaniel 
Goodwin,  Timothy  Ledlie,  James  Jepson,  Caleb  Bull,  Junr.,  Joseph 
Church,  Junr.,  William  Lawrence,  John  Caldwell,  Elihu  Eggleston, 
John  Nevins,  Israel   Seymour,   Ebenezer   Austin,    Stephen    Austin, 
Charles  Hopkins,  Elisha  Burnham,  John  Lawrence,  Junr.,  Edward 
Bodge,  Elisha  Lord,  Hezekiah  Merrells,   Samuel  Burr,  John  Calder, 
Nathaniel  Skinner,   James  Bull,    Austin  Ledyard,   Frederick  Bull, 
William  Knox,    Ebenezer   Watson,    Joseph   Reed,    Epaphras   Bull, 
Consider  Burt,  Cotton  Murray,  Benjamin  Morrison,  James  Adams, 
William  Bull,  Jonathan  Butler,  Jonathan  Bull,  Bevil  Waters,  Aaron 
Seymour,    James   Humphrey,    Isaac   Vaughan,   Lemuel   Steel,    John 
Dodd,  Timothy  Steel,  Elisha  Dodd,  Richard  Skinner,  Jonathan  Steel, 
Thomas  Sloan,  Robert  Sloan,  James  Bunce,  Junr.,  Samuel  Kilbourn, 
Noah  Washburn,   Thomas  Steel,   Moses  Kellogg,  Thomas  Converse, 
Abel  Stone,  Daniel  Skinner,  Junr.,  Edward  Dodd,  Junr.,  Theodore 
Skinner,  Ozias  Goodwin,  Junr.,  and  John  Cook,  praying  to  be  consti- 
tuted a  distinct  Military  Company  by  the  Name  of  the  Governor's 
Guard,  as  per  Memorial  on  File, 

Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  That  the  Memorialists  before  named 
be  and  they  are  hereby  Constituted  a  distinct  Military  Company,  by 
the  Name  of  the  Governors  Guard,  consisting  of  Sixty  four  in 
number  rank  and  file,  to  attend  upon  and  Guard  the  Governor 
and  General  Assembly  annually  on  the  Election  Days,  and  at  all 
other  Times  as  occasion  shall  require,  equipped  with  proper  Arms, 
and  Uniformly  Dressed,  with  Power  under  the  direction  of  the  Field 
Officers  to  elect  and  Choose  their  own  Officers,  viz.  Captain,  Lieu- 
tenant, and  Ensign,  and  all  other  subordinate  Officers  that  shall  be 
necessary,  and  that  the  Chief  Officer  of  said  Company  for  the  Time 
being  with  the  Advice  and  Consent  of  either  of  the  Commissioned 
Officers  of  said  Company  shall  have  full  power  in  Case  of  Death, 
removal  or  dismission  of  any  of  said  Company  to  Inlist,  receive  and 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  9 

enrol  others  in  the  room  of  those  so  removetl,  and  said  Company  shall 
be  subject  to  the  General  Laws  as  to  the  Days  and  Times  of  their 
Training  and  mustering,  and  are  hereby  exempted  from  being  Called 
and  from  Doing  any  Military  Duty  in  any  other  Company,  and  the 
Chief  Colonel  of  the  first  Regiment  of  Militia  in  this  Colony  shall 
Cause  them  to  be  duly  warned  and  lead  them  to  the  Choice  of  a 
Captain,  Lieutenant,  Ensign,  &c. 

Pass'd  in  ye  Lower  House. 

Test  WM.  WILLIAMS,  Clerk. 

Concurr'd  in  the  upper  House. 

Test  GEORGE  WYLLYS,  Secret'y. 

The  company  was  immediately  formed,  and  SAMUEL 
WYLLYS  was  elected  captain,  WILLIAM  KNOX  lieutenant, 
and  EBEXEZER  AUSTIX  ensign. 

Their  first  parade  was  made  at  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  at  Hartford,  in  May,  1772.  The  General  Assem- 
bly signified  their  approval  of  the  doings  of  the  company,  as 
appears  by  the  passage  of  the  following 

ACT. 

At  a  General  Assembly  of  the  Governor  and  Company  of  the  English 
Colony  of  Connecticut  in  New  England  in  America,  holden  at 
Hartford,  in  said  Colony,  on  the  second  Thursday  of  May,  being 
the  14th  day  of  said  month,  and  continued  by  several  adjourn- 
ments until  the  sixth  day  of  June  next  following,  Annoque 
Domini  1772, 

Upon  the  memorial  of  Samuel  Wyllys,  Captain  of  and  the  rest  of 
the  Company  constituting  the  Governor's  Guard,  representing  to  this 
Assembly  that  pursuant  to  the  Act  of  this  Assembly  in  October  last, 
they  have  been  led  to  the  choice  of  proper  Officers,  that  they  have 
been  at  great  cost,  care  and  Pains  in  procuring  Cloaths,  Drums,  fifes 
and  colours,  and  improving  themselves  in  military  exercises,  so  as  in 
the  most  decent  and  becoming  manner,  to  attend,  wait  on,  and  guard 
his  Honr  the  Governour,  and  the  General  Assembly,  according  to  the 
duty  of  the  station,  and  to  the  Honour  of  Government,  and  being 
still  in  want  of  arms  and  accoutrements  decent  and  necessary  to  be 
used  on  such  occasions,  which  they  cannot  well  obtain  &c.  praying  for 
assistance  therein,  as  per  memorial  on  File. 

This  Assembly  having  also  Observed  and  approved  their  Conduct, 
and  as  an  encouragement  to  their  and  the  said  Company's  further  and 


10  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

continued  exertion  of  themselves,  to  do  honour  to  their  institution, 
and  to  answer  the  just  expectations  of  the  General  Assembly  in  their 
establishment,  do  Grant  and  Resolve,  That  the  monies  which  the 
memorialists  have  expended,  and  paid  for  their  Standard,  Drums  and 
Fifes  be  refunded  to  them  out  of  the  Colony  Treasury,  and  that  there 
be  purchased  at  the  expense  of  the  Colony  for  the  use  of  said 
Company,  sixty  four  plain,  decent,  and  sizeable  stands  of  Arms,  to 
equip  said  Company,  at  the  discretion  of  the  Committee  hereafter 
named,  all  to  be  and  remain  the  property  of  this  Colony,  and  kept  for 
the  use  aforesaid. 

And  it  is  further  Resolved,  That  George  Wyllys,  Erastus  Wolcott, 
and  Benjamin  Payne,  Esquires,  be,  and  they  are  hereby  appointed  a 
committee  to  receive  and  examine  the  accounts  of  the  expenses  afore- 
said, and  give  Order  on  the  Treasurer  for  payment  thereof,  and  said 
Committee  are  directed  to  purchase,  procure  and  receive  the  said 
Arms,  and  accoutrements,  directly  from  Bristol,  or  such  other  place  in 
Great  Britain  where  they  may  be  had  on  the  best  Terms,  and  to 
procure  only  such  as  are  decently  plain,  and  suitable,  and  may  be  had 
at  a  moderate  price,  and  they  are  hereby  enabled  and  empowered  to 
draw  on  the  treasurer  of  this  Colony  for  such  sums  as  they  shall 
necessarily  expend  in  the  premises. 

In  1802,  the  General  Assembly  made  the  following 
ADDITION  TO  THE  CHARTER. 

At   a   General  Assembly  of   the  State  of  Connecticut,  in  America, 

holden  at  New  Haven,  in  said  state,  on  the  second  Thursday  of 

October,  being  the  fourteenth  day  of  said  month,  and  Continued 

by  adjournments  from  day  to  day  until  the  fifth  day  of  November, 

in  the  year  of  our  Lord  One  Thousand  Eight  hundred  and  two. 

Upon  the  Petition  of  Nathaniel  Terry  of  Hartford,  in  Hartford 

county,  Captain  of  the  First  Company  of  the  Governours  Foot  Guard, 

in  behalf  of  himself  and  the  rest  of  said  Company,  praying  the 

Assembly  to  increase  the  number  of  said  Company,  to  authorize  the 

captain  of  said  Company  to  sell  and  dispose  of  the  Guns  purchased 

by  this  State  for  the  use  of  said  Company,  and  to  remedy  certain 

defects  in  the  Act  incorporating  said  Company  as  pr  Petition  on  File, 

Dated  the  25th  day  of  May  1802. 

Enacted  by  this  Assembly,  That  there  shall  be  added  to  said 
Company  as  now  established  by  law,  One  Lieutenant,  four  Sargeants, 
four  Corporals,  a  Band  of  Music  of  fourteen  musicians,  six  Fifers, 
Four  Drummers,  and  thirty  two  Privates,  so  that  in  future  said 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  -Q 

Company  shall  consist  of  a  Captain,  two  Lieutenants,  an  Ensign,  eight 
Sargeants,  eight  Corporals,  a  Band  of  Music  of  Fourteen  Musicians, 
six  Fifers,  Four  Drummers,  and  Ninety  Six  privates,  and  the  Captain 
of  said  Company  is  hereby  authorised  and  impowered  to  enlist  such 
additional  number  to  fill  said  Company  from  any  of  the  Militia 
Companies,  provided,  that  by  such  inlistment  no  Militia  Company  be 
reduced  below  the  number  of  Sixty  four  rank  and  File,  and  provided 
also,  that  no  additional  expense  for  dining  said  Company  on  the 
Election  Days  shall  thereby  be  incurred  by  the  State,  and  the  Captain 
of  said  Company  when  thereto  commanded  by  his  Excellency  the 
Governour  shall  lead  said  Company  to  the  choice  of  a  second  Lieu- 
tenant for  said  Company,  who  shall  be  commissioned  according  to 
Law,  and  the  Captain  of  said  Company  shall  at  such  time  or  times 
as  he  shall  think  proper,  lead  said  Company  to  the  choice  of  non 
commissioned  Officers  for  said  Company,  and  the  non  commissioned 
Officers  of  said  Company  shall  receive  their  warrants  from  the 
Captain  thereof. 

And  further  Enacted,  That  said  Company  shall  have  power  by 
their  major  vote,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Captain  thereof,  to 
establish  an  uniform  of  dress  and  accoutrements  for  said  Company, 
and  from  time  to  time  to  alter  the  same  or  any  part  thereof,  and  each 
non  commissioned  officer,  musician,  and  Private  of  said  Company 
shall  pay  a  Fine  of  one  Dollar  for  each  article  of  dress  or  accoutre- 
ment, in  which  he  shall  be  deficient,  when  called  out  for  Company 
exercise,  and  directed  by  the  commanding  officer  of  said  Company  to 
appear  in  uniform,  and  for  each  such  deficiency  on  Election  Days,  or 
at  any  other  Time  when  said  Company  shall  be  called  out  by  special 
order  of  his  Excellency  the  Governour,  each  non  commissioned 
officer,  musician,  and  Private  shall  pay  a  Fine  of  Three  Dollars. 

And  further  Enacted,  That  the  commanding  Officer  of  said  Com- 
pany shall  have  authority,  and  authority  is  hereby  given  to  him,  to 
call  out  said  Company  for  the  purpose  of  Training  them  to  military 
discipline,  and  the  use  of  Arms,  such  number  of  days  as  he  shall  think 
proper,  not  exceeding  Fifteen  Days  in  one  Year,  and  each  non  com- 
missioned officer,  musician  and  private  of  said  Company,  shall  pay  a 
Fine  of  Two  Dollars  for  non  attendance  each  Time  he  shall  be  called 
out  for  ordinary  Training,  and  a  fine  of  six  dollars  for  non  attendance 
on  Election  Day,  or  any  other  day  when  said  Company  shall  be  called 
out  by  special  Order  of  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  and  the  Officers 
of  the  Company  shall  have  the  same  power  and  authority  to  punish 
all  Persons  belonging  to  said  Company  for  disobedience  of  Orders  or 


12  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

unmilitary  Conduct  as  the  Officers  of  the  Ordinary  Militia  Companies 
have,  or  shall  have,  respecting  the  Companies  to  which  they  belong. 

And  further  Enacted,  That  said  Company  by  their  major  vote 
shall  have  power,  with  the  approbation  of  the  Captain  thereof,  to 
direct  in  what  manner  the  Trainings  of  said  Company  shall  be 
warned,  and  warnings  given  accordingly  shall  be  good  and  effectual 
to  all  intents  and  purposes  whatsoever. 

And  further  Enacted,  That  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  be 
paid  to  the  Captain  of  said  Company,  to  be  laid  out  in  the  purchase 
of  Instruments  of  Musick,  which  Instruments  of  Musick  shall  be  the 
Property  of  the  State,  for  the  use  of  said  Company,  which  sum  here- 
after shall  be  the  full  satisfaction  of  the  Customary  allowance  to  said 
Company  for  hiring  Musick,  for  Election  days,  and  the  Treasurer  is 
hereby  directed  to  pay  said  sum  accordingly. 

And  further  Enacted,  That  the  Captain  of  said  Company  be,  and 
he  is  hereby  authorized  to  sell,  and  dispose  of  the  Arms  purchased  by 
this  State,  for  the  Use  of  said  Company,  on  condition,  that  he  shall 
with  the  money  to  be  raised  thereby,  with  monies  to  be  raised  by 
Voluntary  Subscription,  and  with  monies  to  be  raised  by  Fines  to  be 
collected  of  said  Company,  which  are  hereby  appropriated  to  that 
use,  purchase  a  complete  Sett  of  Guns  and  Bayonets  for  said  Com- 
pany, to  belong  to  this  State  for  the  use  of  said  Company. 


In  1809,  the  charter  was  further  amended  as  follows: — 

At  a  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Connecticut,  held  at  Hartford, 
on  the  second  Thursday  of  May,  being  the  Eleventh  day  of  said 
month,  and  Continued  by  adjournments  until  the  second  day  of 
June,  One  Thousand  Eight  Hundred  and  Nine. 

Resolved  by  this  Assembly,  that  the  Captains  of  the  Companies  of 
the  Governours  Foot  Guard,  shall  have  the  rank  of  Major,  in  the  same 
manner  as  is  Provided  for  the  Horse  Guard. 

Resolved,  that  there  shall  be  four  Lieutenants  to  the  first  Com- 
pany of  Foot  Guard,  the  first  of  which  shall  have  the  Rank  of 
Captain,  and  that  the  commander  of  any  Company  of  Governors 
Guard  may  appoint  either  of  their  Sargeants  to  be  orderly  Sargeant, 
and  may  him  displace,  and  a  new  appointment  make,  as  occasion 
may  require. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  ]  3 

From  the  organization  to  the  present  time,  the  Guard  have 
never  failed  to  perform  its  chartered  duty  of  "  waiting  upon 
his  Excellency  the  Governor  and  the  General  Assembly,  on 
Election  days,"  and  at  other  times  when  called  upon.  The 
many  other  times  that  the  Guard  have  appeared  on  parade, 
and  the  part  that  they  have  taken  in  public  affairs,  is  so 
fully  entered  into  in  Mr.  DEMIXG'S  address,  that  it  is  need- 
less to  further  enlarge  upon  it  here. 

We  annex  a  list  of  the  governors  of  Connecticut,  during 
the  existence  of  the  Guard,  and  the  commanders  of  the 
Guard  from  its  organization  to  the  present  time. 

GOVERNORS. 

Names.  Terras  of  Office. 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL,          1769  to  1784 

MATTHEW  GRISWOLD.  1784  to  1786 

SAMUEL  HUNTINGTON,  1786  to  1796 

OLIVER  WOLCOTT,        1796  to  1798 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL.          1798  to  1809 

JOHN  TREADWELL,       1809  to  1811 

ROGER  GRISWOLD,       1811  to  1813 

JOHN  COTTON  SMITH,  ..        ..     _ 1813  to  1817 

OLIVER  WOLCOTT,        ' 1817  to  1827 

GIDEON  TOMLINSON, 1827  to  1831 

JOHN  S.  PETERS,         1831  to  1833 

HENRY  W.  EDWARDS,  1833  to  1834 

SAMUEL  A.  FOOTE,      ..         1834  to  1835 

HENRY  W.  EDWARDS,       ' 1835  to  1838 

WILLIAM  W.  ELLSWORTH,    ..         .. 1838  to  1842 

CHAUNCEY  F.  CLEVELAND,  1842  to  1844 

ROGER  S.  BALDWIN, 1844  to  1846 

ISAAC  TOUCEY, 1846  to  1847 

CLARK  BISSELL,  1847  to  1849 

JOSEPH  TRUMBULL, 1849  to  1850 

THOMAS  II.  SEYMOUR,  1850  to  1853 

CHARLES  II.  POND, 1853  to  1854 

HENRY  BUTTON,          1854  to  1855 

WILLIAM  T.  MINOR, 1855  to  1857 

ALEXANDER  H.  HOLLEY, 1857  to  1858 

WILLIAM  A.  BUCKINGHAM,  ..  ..  1858  to  1866 


14 


JOSEPH  R.  HAWLEY, 
JAMES  E.  ENGLISH, 
MARSHALL  JEWELL, 
JAMES  E.  ENGLISH, 
MARSHALL  JEWELL, 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


Terms  of  Office. 

1868  to  1867 
1867  to  1869 

1869  to  1870 

1870  to  1871 

1871  to 


COMMANDANTS. 


Names. 

Captain  SAMUEL  WYLLYS, 
Captain  JONATHAN  BULL, 
Captain  CHARLES  HOPKINS, 
Captain  GEORGE  BULL,    .. 
Captain  JOSEPH  DAY,       ..  -     .. 
Captain  JESSE  ROOT, 
Captain  NATHANIEL  TERRY,     .. 

(Ranked  as  Major  from  May,  1899.) 

Major  ISAAC  D.  BULL, 
Major  RICHARD  E.  GOODWIN,  .. 
Major  JAMES  M.  GOODWIN, 
Major  LYNDE  OLMSTED,   .. 
Major  CHARLES  WELLS,  .. 
Major  GEORGE  PUTNAM,  .. 
Major  JONATHAN  GOODWIN, 
Major  EDMUND  B.  STEDMAN,    ., 
Major  CALVIN  DAY, 
Major  JAMES  G.  BOLLES, 
Major  HENRY  OAKES, 
Major  GRIFFIN  A.  STEDMAN,    .. 
Major  HENRY  L.  MILLER, 
Major  ROLAND  MATHER,  .. 
Major  WILLIAM  B.  ELY,  .. 
Major  HENRY  P.  AVERILL, 
Major  HENRY  P.  SWEETSER,     .. 
Major  LEONARD  H.  BACON, 
Major  WILLIAM  CONNER,  JR.,  .. 
Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUR, 
Major  JONATHAN  GOODWIN, 
Major  Lucius  E.  HUNT,  .. 
Major  HENRY  C.  RANSOM, 
Major  HENRY  P.  BARTON, 
Major  WILLIAM  II.  DODD, 


Terms  of  Office. 

October,  1771,  to  May,  1777. 
May,  1777,  to  May,  1785. 
May,  1785,  to  May,  1795. 
May,  1795,  to  May,  1797. 
May,  1797,  to  May,  1798. 
May,  1798,  to  October,  1802. 
October,  1802,  to  June  3,  1813. 

June  3,  1913,  to  June  8,  1816. 
June  8,  1816,  to  May  13,  1819. 
May  13,  1819,  to  May  16,  1823. 
May  16,  1823,  to  April  5,  1826. 
April  5,  1826,  to  Feb.  9,  1828. 
Feb.  9,  1828,  to  April  30,  1830. 
April  30,  1830,  to  Feb.  6,  1832. 
Feb.  6,  1832,  to  May  15,  1833. 
May  15,  1833,  to  Feb.  18,  1835. 
Feb.  18,  1835,  to  Aug.  7,  1835. 
Aug.  7,  1835,  to  Nov.  3,  1836. 
Nov.  3,  1836,  to  May  21,  1838. 
May  21,  1838,  to  Sept.  28,  1838. 
Sept.  28,  1838,  to  March  2,  1840. 
TVfarch  2,  1840,  to  Sept.  1,  1841. 
Sept.  1,  1841,  to  March  11,  1843. 
March  11,  1843,  to  Sept.  6,  1844. 
Sept.  6,  1844,  to  March  10,  1847. 
March  10,  1847,  to  May  9,  1850. 
May  9,  1850,  to  April  22,  1861. 
April  22,  1861,  to  Dec.  4,  1862. 
Dec.  4,  1862,  to  Oct.  6,  1865. 
Oct.  6,  1865,  to  March  4,  1867. 
March  4,  1867,  to  June  5,  1871. 
June  5,  1871,  to 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  15 

THE  VETERAX  ASSOCIATION 

\\ras  formed  in  1870,  in  accordance  with  the  following  call  : 

$(<ail-Jhtarlcr$  IFirst  Campaiw  xFr 


Hartford,  January  31,  187O. 

Dear  Sir,  —  The  propriety  of  forming  an  Association  consisting  of 
ex  members  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  has  long 
been  a  subject  of  discussion,  and  the  near  approach  of  the  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the  Battalion  has  enlisted  the 
active  interest  of  the  present  Company,  that  such  an  organization 
should  be  formed  during  the  present  year.  At  the  request,  therefore, 
of  many  of  the  ex-members,  and  of  the  officers  and  privates  now 
forming  the  Company,  we  earnestly  invite  you  to  attend  a  meeting  of 
the  past  officers  and  members  of  the  Battalion,  to  be  held  at  the 
armory  of  the  Guard,  in  American  Hall,  in  this  city,  on  the  twenty- 
third  day  of  February,  A.D.  1870,  at  half-past  7  o'clock,  P.M.,  for  the 
purpose  of  perfecting  an  Association  or  Organization  of  the  Veteran 
Members,  in  such  manner  as  may  be  deemed  expedient  and  proper. 
There  will  be  no  expense  attending  the  formation  or  continuance 
of  the  Organization  contemplated,  the  Company  giving  to  us  the  use 
of  the  rooms  and  other  facilities  and  accommodations  required,  and 
the  object  hoped  to  be  attained  is  only  to  awaken  and  sustain  an 
interest  in  the  Company,  revive  old  associations,  and  keep  fresh  the 
memories  of  the  past. 

We  shall  confidently  expect  your  presence  at  the  time  mentioned, 
and  hope  for  your  cordial  sympathy  and  interest  in  the  object  above 
stated. 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

JAMES  M.  GOODWIN,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

LYNDE  OLMSTED,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

CALVIN  DAY,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

JAMES  G.  BOLLES,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

JONATHAN  GOODWIN,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

WILLIAM  B.  ELY,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

WILLIAM  CONNER,  JR.,  ex-Major  Commandant. 

LEVERETT  SEYMOUR,  ex  -Major  Commandant. 

L.  E.  HUNT,  ex-Major  Commandant. 


IQ  HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

In  behalf  of  the  officers  and  privates  of  the  First  Company  Gov- 
ernor's Foot  Guard,  we  cordially  unite  in  the  request  of  the  past 
officers  of  this  Battalion ;  and  we  earnestly  hope  to  see  an  Organiza- 
tion of  the  Veteran  Members  perfected  prior  to  the  Centennial 
Anniversary  of  the  Guard. 

H.  P.  BARTON,  Major  Commandant. 
WM.  H.  DODD,  Captain  and  First  Lieutenant. 
HENRY  C.  FULLER,  Second  Lieutenant. 
C.  C.  OSBORN,  Third  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  C.  PARSONS,  Fourth  Lieutenant. 
0.  W.  CIIAFFEE,  Ensign. 
Hartford,  February  1,  187O. 

At  the  meeting  thus  called,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
draft  a  Constitution  and  recommend  a  name.  At  a  subse- 
quent meeting,  the  committee  submitted  the  following,  which 
was  accepted  and  adopted : — 

CONSTITUTION. 

ARTICLE  1.  This  organization  shall  be  called  "  The  First  Com- 
pany Governor's  Foot  Guard  Veteran  Corps." 

ARTICLE  2.  It  shall  be  composed  of  those  persons  who  have 
been,  or  may  hereafter  be,  members  of  the  First  Company  Governor's 
Foot  Guard,  and  have  been  honorably  discharged  from  service  therein, 
and  who  shall  sign  this  Constitution,  and  none  others. 

ARTICLE  3.  The  objects  of  this  organization  shall  be  the  keeping 
alive  an  interest  in  the  Company,  reviving  old  and  pleasant  memories, 
the  perpetuation  of  the  traditions  and  history  of  the  Company,  and 
the  cultivation  of  social  feelings  between  the  active  members  of  the 
Battalion  and  the  Veteran  Corps,  by  a  meeting  at  least  annually, 
at  which  all  members  shall  be  present,  or  accounted  for,  or  honorably 
remembered. 

ARTICLE  4.  The  officers  of  the  Corps  shall  be  a  president,  vice- 
president,  secretary,  treasurer,  and  historian. 

ARTICLE  5.  There  shall  be  an  executive  committee  of  five  per- 
sons, of  which  the  president  and  vice-president  shall  be  members. 

ARTICLE  6.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
Veteran  Corps,  and,  in  the  event  of  his  absence,  the  vice-president. 

ARTICLE  7.  The  secretary  shall  perform  all  the  duties  incident  to 
that  office,  collect  and  pay  to  the  treasurer  all  the  funds  of  the 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  lj 

organization,  and  keep  a  record  of  each  member  of  the  Veteran 
Corps  as  far  as  may  be,  and  full  records  of  the  proceedings  at  each 
meeting. 

ARTICLE  8.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  moneys  from  the  secre- 
tary, disburse  all  funds  under  the  direction  of  the  president  and 
executive  committee,  and  render  his  account  to  them  one  week  prior 
to  the  annual,  meeting. 

ARTICLE  9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  historian  to  collect  all  the 
recollective  traditions  and  reminiscences  connected  with  the  Company, 
and  a  history  of  the  organization,  and  present  the  same  at  the  next 
annual  meeting. 

ARTICLE  10.  The  executive  committee  shall  audit  and  (if  ap- 
proved) pay  all  bills  against  the  Veteran  Corps,  and  shall  have 
general  supervision  of  all  business  affairs. 

ARTICLE  11.  The  officers  shall  be  chosen  by  ballot,  and  by  a 
major  vote  cast,  at  each  annual  meeting.  The  first  election  shall  be 
on  the  day  of  the  adoption  of  this  Constitution,  and  the  officers  then 
chosen  shall  retain  their  positions  until  the  annual  meeting  in  1870. 

ARTICLE  12.  Twelve  members  shall  constitute  a  quorum,  and  the 
president  shall  call  a  special  meeting  upon  the  written  request  of  four 
members. 

ARTICLE  13.  The  annual  meeting  shall  take  place  on  the  second 
Thursday  in  October  in  each  year. 

ARTICLE  14.  Each  member,  upon  signing  the  Constitution,  shall 
pay  one  dollar  to  the  secretary,  and  any  other  expenses  shall  be  paid 
by  voluntary  contribution. 

ARTICLE  15.  This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a 
two-thirds  vote,  at  any  regularly  called  meeting. 

The  following  officers  were  then  elected : — 

Major  CALVIN  DAY,  President. 
Major  WILLIAM  B.  ELY,  Vice-President. 
Major  Lucius  E.  HUNT,  Secretary. 
Sergeant  DEWITT  C.  POXD,  Treasurer. 
Sergeant  J.  HURLBURT  WHITE,  Historian. 
Lieutenant  ALFRED  B.  REDFIELD,  } 

Captain  J.  ELLSWORTH  STRONG,     V  Executive  Committee. 
Captain  NELSON  G.  HINCKLEY,       ) 
3 


18 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 


At  a  meeting  held  in  August,  1871.  a  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  confer  with  a  like  committee  from  the  Company, 
to  recommend  a  plan  for  the  Centennial  Celebration. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting,  the  committee  reported,  recom- 
mending that  the  Centennial  Celebration  be  held  on  Thurs- 
day, the  19th  of  October;  that  the  Second  Company 
Governor's  Foot  Guard,  of  New  Haven,  be  invited  to 
participate  in  the  ceremonies;  and  that  the  day  be  cele- 
brated by  a  parade  of  the  two  companies  and  the  Veteran 
Corps,  an  historical  and  other  addresses,  and  a  banquet, 
— which  was  accepted  and  adopted. 

The  following  committees  were  appointed  to  carry  out  the 
plan : — 

Committee  of  Arrangements : 

Major  JONATHAN  GOODWIN,  Lieut.  GEORGE  SEXTON, 

Major  CALVIN  DAY,  Lieut.  LEONARD  T.  WELLES, 

Major  GRIFFIN  A.  STEDMAN,         Lieut.  HORATIO  E.  DAY, 
Major  ROLAND  MATHER,  Lieut.  ALBERT  F.  DAY, 

Major  WILLIAM  B.  ELY,  Lieut.  RALPH  L.  GILBERT, 

Major  LEONARD  H.  BACON,  Lieut.  ALFRED  B.  REDFIELD, 

Major  WILLIAM  CONNER,  Lieut.  JAMES  BOLTER, 

Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUR,  Lieut.  HENRY  K.  PECK, 

Major  Lucius  E.  HUNT,  Lieut.  JAMES  G.  WELLS, 

Major  HENRY  P.  BARTON,  Lieut.  JOHN  C.  PARSONS, 

Major  WILLIAM  H.  DODD,  Lieut.  CHARLES  F.  NICHOLS, 

Captain  NELSON  G.  HINCKLEY,      Lieut.  WILLIAM  H.  TALCOTT, 
Captain  J.  ELLSWORTH  STRONG,   Ensign  O.  W.  CHAFFEE, 
Captain  WILLIAM  M.  FOSTER,        Sergeant  CHARLES  C.  STRONG, 
Captain  CHARLES  C.  OSBORN,        Sergeant  DEWITT  C.  POND, 
Lieut.  HENRY  K.  MORGAN,  Sergeant  J.  HURLIHTRT  WHITE. 

Finance  Committee: 

Major  CALVIN  DAY,  Captain  NELSON  G.  HINCKLEY, 

Major  WILLIAM  B.  ELY,  Captain  J.  ELLSWORTH  STRONG, 

Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUR,  Sergeant  DEWITT  C.  POND. 

Committee  of  Invitation: 

The  OFFICERS  of  the  VETERAN  CORPS  and  the  OFFICERS  of  the 
ACTIVE  COMPANY. 

Committee  on  Banquet: 
Colonel  S.  A.  COOLEY,  J.  A.  TERRY,  ami  C.  C.  STRONG. 


HISTORICAL  SKETCH.  jg 

Committee  on  Toasts: 
J.  II.  WHITE,  L.  E.  HUNT,  and  W.  B.  ELY. 

Committee  on  Orator  and  Hall: 

J.  H.  WHITE,  A.  M.  GORDON,  H.  C.  FULLER,  A.  B.  REDFIELD. 
and  J.  S.  HUSSEY. 

Reception  Committee : 
Majors  .CALVIN  DAY,  JONATHAN  GOODWIN,  and  HENRY  P.  BARTON. 

Committee  on  Carriages: 
H.  C.  FULLER  and  J.  R.  HOLCOMB. 

Committee  on  Firing  Salute.: 
W.  H.  DODD  and  A.  M.  GORDON., 

Committee  on  Ringing  Bells: 
S.  A.  COOLEY. 

Marshal : 
Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUK. 

Assistant  Marshal : 
Captain  J.  ELLSWORTH  STRONG. 

Committee  on  Decorations: 
G.  B.  LARKUM  and  J.  S.  HUSSEY. 

Committee  on  Printing: 
S.  A.  COOLEY  and  L.  E.  HUNT. 

Toast  Master: 
Sergeant  J.  HURLBURT  WHITE. 

The  committees  attended  to  their  various  duties,  and 
worked  harmoniously  together,  and  can  congratulate  them- 
selves that  no  disagreement  occurred;  thereby  making  the 
Celebration  a  complete  success,  and  the  remembrance  of  it  a 
source  of  pleasure  which  time  can  not  efface. 


THE  CELEBRATION. 


IN  accordance  with  previous  arrangements,  the  Centennial 
Anniversary  was  observed  on  Thursday,  the  19th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1871. 

The  active  company  paraded  at  9  o'clock,  A.M.,  and,  after 
receiving  their  colors  and  the  major-commandant  in  due  and 
ancient  form,  marched  to  the  depot,  received  the  Second 
Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  of  New  Haven,  and, 
after  the  usual  ceremonies,  proceeded  to  the  City  Park,  at 
the  foot  of  Clinton  Street,  where,  being  joined  by  members 
of  the  Veteran  Corps  and  his  Excellency  the  Governor,  and 
surrounded  by  a  large  number  of  spectators,  the  ceremonies 
of  the  day  were  commenced,  by  the  planting  of  a  memorial 
tree,  —  a  scion  of  the  historic  Charter  Oak,  kindly  furnished 
for  the  occasion  by  ERASTUS  II.  CROSBY,  Esq ,  of  West 
Hartford. 

On  reaching  the  site  chosen,  the  tree  was  placed  in 
the  ground,  and  Governor  JEWELL,  threw  the  first  spadeful 
of  dirt  upon  it ;  after  him,  the  officers  of  the  company  also 
did  their  part  toward  planting  it,  the  bands  meanwhile  play- 
ing appropriate  patriotic  airs.  .After  the  tree  was  firmly  set, 
Governor  JEWELL  made  the  following  dedicatory  remarks : 

Officers  and  Soldiers  of  the  Governor's  Guard,  and  Fellow  Citizens, 

It  lias  been  thought  by  the  members  of  the  Guard  a  proper  time 
to  plant  on  this  public  park  a  memorial  tree.  Mr.  E.  H.  Crosby,  of 
West  Hartford,  kindly  offered  for  this  purpose  a  scion  of  the  noble 
old  Charter  Oak,  one  of  the  most  memorable  trees  in  the  state  or 
country,  around  whose  history  clusters  so  much  of  the  patriotic  and 
loyal  sentiment  which  has  in  later  years  developed  so  largely  and 
made  our  country  so  great  and  powerful.  In  the  name  of  all  that  is 


THE   CELEBRATION.  21 

patriotic  and  loyal  in  the  state,  in  the  name  of  the  First  Company  of 
Governor's  Foot  Guard,  I  consecrate  this  tree  to  future  generations ; 
and,  should  it  be  spared  till  the  next  centennial  celebration,  may  we 
not  expect  our  successors  on  that  day  to  be  able  to  celebrate  under  its 
spreading  branches,  finding  here  a  sturdy  huge  oak,  typical  alike 
in  its  strength  of  the  strength  of  republican  institutions,  in  its 
growth  of  the  growth  of  this  great  country,  and  in  its  vigor  of 
the  vigor  of  the  Guard  who  planted  it,  the  state  who  fostered  it, 
and  our  posterity  who  will  admire  it. 

When  these  ceremonies  were  concluded,  the  line  of  march 
was  taken  up  through  the  city,  bringing  up,  about  11  o'clock, 
at  Allyn  Hall,  where  a  cold  lunch  was  prepared  for  the 
hungry  to  stay  their  appetites  until  the  banquet,  which  was 
to  follow  at  5  o'clock.  The  lunch  lasted  about  an  hour,  and, 
about  12  o'clock,  they  again  fell  into  line,  and  marched  to 
the  armory,  where  arms  were  stacked  and  the  companies 
dismissed  until  2  o'clock. 

The  Veteran  Corps  assembled  at  the  armory  of  the  Guard 
(American  Hall),  at  11  o'clock,  A.M.,  where  the  time  was 
passed  until  2  o'clock,  P.M.,  in  social  intercourse  and  the 
renewal  of  old  acquaintance. 

THE  REVIEW  AND  PARADE. 

Shortly  after  2  o'clock,  the  Guard,  and  the  Second  Com- 
pany, and  the  Veterans  and  invited  guests,  marched  from 
American  Hall,  around  the  State  House  Square,  to  Pearl 
Street,  and  down  to  the  Park,  where  a  great  crowd  of  people 
had  assembled.  When  drawn  in  line,  Governor  JEWELL 
and  staff,  mounted,  came  upon  the  field,  and  passed  in 
review,  the  American  Band  playing  "  Hail  to  the  Chief." 
This  over,  a  line  of  march  was  taken  up,  and,  at  the 
first  forward  move,  cannon  upon  the  Park  hill  were  fired, 
and  then  all  the  bells  chimed  in,  and  the  music  of  bells  and 
cannon  was  kept  up  throughout  the  entire  march;  the 
procession  marching  through  the  following-named  streets: 
Trinity  to  College,  up  College  to  Washington,  down  Wash- 


22  THE  CELEBRATION. 

ington  to  Park,  up  Park  to  Main,  up  Main  to  Ann,  down 
Ann  to  Chapel,  up  Chapel  to  Trumbull,  down  Trumbull  to 
Asylum,  and  in  the  following  order: — 

American  Brass  Band,  of  Providence. 
First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  Major  W.  H.  DODD. 

Governor  JEWELL  and  Staff. 
Wheeler  &  Wilson's  Band,  of  Bridgeport. 

Second  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  Captain  J.  G.  PHILE. 

Colonel  SMITH  and  Staff,  First  Regiment,  Connecticut  National  Guard. 

Major  and  Staff,  Second  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard. 

Major  and  Staff,  First  Company  Governor's  Horse  Guard. 

Major  and  Staff,  Second  Company  Governor's  Horse  Guard. 

Officers  Hartford  City  Guard. 

Officers  Buckingham  Rifles. 

Officers  Hillyer  Guard. 

Officers  Putnam  Phalanx. 

Veteran  Foot  Guard,  of  New  Haven. 

Veteran  Corps  Governor's  Guard,  Major  L.  SEYMOUR. 

Invited  Guests,  on  foot  and  in  carriages. 

Arriving  at  Asylum  Street,  both  companies  of  the  Guard 
formed  in  line  on  either  side  of  the. street,  and  the  Governor 
and  staff  passed  between,  followed  by  the  Veterans  and 
invited  guests,  and  proceeded  to 

THE  BANQUET. 

The  banquet  took  place  in  Allyn  Hall,  commencing  at 
about  half-past  5  o'clock.  The  stage  was  decorated  with 
flags  and  flowers,  and  upon  the  scene  back  were  the  earliest 
flags  or  standards  of  the  battalion.  Perfect  arrangements 
'were  made  for  the  seating  of  all  the  military  and  guests. 
Governor  JEWELL,  ex-Governors  BUCKINGHAM  and  HAW- 
LEY,  ex-Lieutenant-Governors  CATLIN  and  HYDE,  the  ven- 
erable JAMES  B.  HOSMER,  the  Hon.  GIDEON  WELLES,  and 
several  of  the  veteran  ex-majors  of  the  Guard,  occupied 
seats  upon  the  stage,  where  two  tables  were  spread  for  their 


THE  BANQUET.  23 

especial  accommodation.  When  the  seats  in  the  hall  were 
taken,  including  those  in  the  galleries,  which  were  all  filled 
with  ladies  as  spectators,  the  assemblage  was  called  to  order 
by  ex-Major  CALVIN  DAY,  the  president  of  the  Veteran 
Corps,  who  made  an  address  of  welcome,  as  follows. 
Addressing  the  governor,  ex-governors,  the  gentlemen  of  the 
corps  of  ex-officers  and  soldiers,  and  the  officers  and  men  of 
the  active  companies,  Major  DAY  said : — 

MAJOR  DAY'S  WELCOME. 

There  lias  fallen  to  my  lot  a  most  agreeable  duty,  —  that  of  bid- 
cling  the  guests  of  the  Veteran  Association  of  the  First  Company 
of  Governor's  Foot  Guard  welcome  to  this  Centennial  Celebration  of 
the  organization  of  the  company  :  an  occasion  which,  to  this  associa- 
tion, is  one  of  great  interest,  and  which  they  hope  to  make  to  their 
guests  one  of  pleasure.  It  is  our  happiness  to  see  present  to-night 
and  to  welcome  the  chief  magistrate  of  our  state,  and  so  many  of 
those  gentlemen  who  have  Before  him  so  worthily  filled  that  honor- 
able position.  It  is  fitting  that  he,  and  those  of  his  predecessors  who 
have  favored  us  with  their  presence,  should  be  with  us;  for  the 
Guard,  whose  history  reaches  back  farther  than  that  of  the  state,  and 
into  the  colonial  times,  have  always,  from  their  organization,  served 
with  pride  as  the  body-guard  of  the  chief-magistrates  and  the  fore- 
most representatives  of  the  military  arm  of  the  state.  We  have  great 
pleasure,  too,  in  welcoming  so  many  of  the  ex-majors  and  other 
former  officers  and  members  of  the  company,  many  of  whom  have 
given  proof  of  their  attachment  to  the  company  by  coming  from 
distant  homes  to  meet  old  friends  and  renew  old  associations.  We 
welcome  you  all,  gentlemen,  to  this  cordial  feast  and  this  happy 
occasion.  We  welcome,  also,  our  military  guests  from  other  corps, 
who  honor  us  by  their  presence  at  this  time.  We  welcome,  too,  the 
members  of  the  active  corps,  who  have  proved  by  their  appearance 
this  day  that  the  spirit  of  the  old  Guard  is  as  glorious  as  ever.  May 
its  history  in  the  future  be  as  honorable  as  it  has  been  in  the  past. 
There  has  never  been  a  blot  upon  its  record.  Its  history  has  not  been 
one  of  campaigns  or  battles;  it  has  never  been  the  fortune  of  the 
Guard  to  be  called  into  service  in  the  field:  but  they  have  always 
been  ready  to  do  their  whole  duty,  furnishing  an  example  of  a 
true  citizen-soldiery ;  and  there  have  been  occasions  when  their 
existence  has  been  of  important  service  to  the  state.  This  occasion 


24  THE  BANQUET. 

brings  up  many  recollections  of  the  past.  Many  of  you  will  recall 
the  various  military  excursions  of  the  Guard, —  excursions  such  as  are 
now  common,  but  in  those  days  were  rare  and  important  events,  and 
for  many  years  were  indulged  in  only  by  the  Foot  Guard, — the  first  of 
these  occasions  being  the  laying  of  the  corner-stone  of  Groton  monu- 
ment, and  other  and  subsequent  excursions  to  New  York,  to  Spring- 
field, and  other  places.  We  are  glad  to  see  present  many  who 
participated  in  the  enjoyment  of  those  occasions,  and  we  miss  the 
many  more  who  have  gone  from  us.  The  Guard  have  been  prominent 
in  the  reception  and  welcome  of  many  distinguished  visitors  to  the 
state.  On  the  last  visit  of  that  distinguished  friend  of  American 
independence,  LA  FAYETTE,  to  this  country,  this  corps  bore  a  promi- 
nent part  in  the  military  reception  given  him  in  this  city.  On  the 
visit  of  the  Hero  of  New  Orleans,  during  his  presidency,  a  splendid 
military  parade  took  place  in  his  honor,  and  this  company  acted 
as  body-guard  to  the  distinguished  guest, — on  which  occasion  the 
speaker  had  for  the  first  time  the  honor  of  commanding  the  company. 
I  recollect  with  great  pleasure  my  own  connection  with  the  company. 
I  remember  that  my  young  blood  was  stirred  at  the  thought  of  joining 
its  ranks,  and  it  was  a  proud  day  for  me,  when,  by  the  favor  of  my 
comrades,  I  was  elected  to  the  distinguished  office  of  eighth  corporal. 
There  are  many  before  me  who  can  sympathize  with  me  in  the  recol- 
lection of  like  feelings,  and  who  can  testify  that  their  early  love  for  the 
Guard  has  not  grown  cold,  and  that  the  memory  of  good  feeling  and 
good  fellowship  in  the  organization  lasts  through  all  the  vicissitudes 
of  life.  I  desire,  in  closing,  to  express  the  gratitude  of  the  asso- 
ciation to  my  associates  on  the  committee  of  arrangements,  who  have 
done  every  thing  in  their  power  to  make  the  occasion  one  creditable 
to  the  old  Guard,  and  that  may  be  remembered  with  satisfaction 
by  all.  And  last  in  time,  but  not  in  importance,  we  extend  a  cordial 
welcome  to  the  ladies,  and  our  thanks  for  their  favoring  presence. 

A  prayer  was  then  offered  by  the  chaplain,  the  Rev.  Dr. 
CRANE,  after  which  came  the  banquet,  occupying  about 
an  hour.  An  abundance  of  eatables  was  served,  under  the 
direction  of  Mr.  A.  A.  BACON,  of  the  Clinton  House.  Im- 
mediately following,  the  chairman  announced  the  Hon.  J. 
HURLBURT  WHITE  as  toast-master;  and  that  gentleman 
then  read  the  following  toast,  and  said  that  the  Hon. 
HENRY  C.  DEMING  would  respond :— 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  35 

The  History  of  the  Guard:  It  connects  the  past  with  the  present, 
the  dead  with  the  living;  it  will  connect  the  present  with  the  future, 
the  living  with  the  yet  unborn. 

Colonel  DEMING  was  greeted  with  great  applause,  and 
said : — 

COLONEL  DEMING'S  ADDRESS. 

I  can  not  stand  in  the  presence  of  your  battalion,  veteran  Major, 
without  feeling  that,  as  a  corporate  body,  it  connects  the  past  with 
the  present,  the  dead  with  the  living,  and  is  destined  to  connect  the 
present  with  the  future,  the  living  with  the  yet  unborn,  and  that 
it  has  witnessed  most  of  the  memorable  events  in  American  history. 
Its  life  completely  spans  that  large  segment  of  time  which  compre- 
hends the  battle  of  Lexington  and  the  surrender  of  Lee.  I  can  not 
stand  here  without  feeling  that  it  has  outlived  many  vaunted  institu- 
tions that  started  with  it  in  the  struggle  for  existence,  and,  having 
traveled  securely  down  a  century,  that  it  is  destined  to  descend 
additional  centuries,  and  to  participate  in  a  future  much  more  won- 
derful and  astounding  than  the  past. 

The  year  of  its  birth,  1771,  was  a  peculiar  one,  but  not  of  rare 
occurrence  in  the  military  annals  of  states.  It  was  a  period  of  lull 
between  two  war-storms.  The  peace  of  1763  had  banished  all  fear 
of  French  invasion,  papal  supremacy,  Indian  massacres,  and  the 
apprehension  of  hostilities  with  the  mother  country,  which  was  so 
lively  three  years  later,  had  not  yet  penetrated  the  popular  mind.  It 
was  a  period  when  martial  spirit  was  in  abeyance,  when  military 
organizations  were  in  decay.  The  old  arms  that  had  vainly  struggled 
to  storm  the  abattis  at  Ticonderoga,  which  contributed  largely  to 
carry  the  defenses  of  Havana,  were  rotting  and  rusting  in  unknown 
garrets;  the  old  standards  which  had  flaunted  defiance  in  the  faces  of 
DIESKAU  and  MONTCALM  were  too  tattered  to  be  thrown  to  the 
breeze;  the  old  uniforms  which  had  deployed  before  Montreal  and 
Quebec  were  hangipg  on  the  limbs  of  mere  holiday  soldiers,  too 
spiritless  and  awkward  to  catch  any  inspiration  from  the  heroism 
which  might  be  supposed  to  linger  in  such  garments.  The  minute- 
men,  who  were  to  start  from  every  hamlet  on  the  Lexington  alarm, 
were  following  the  plow,  swinging  the  scythe,  or  hammering  the 
horse-shoe.  The  marksmen  who,  in  the  redoubt  and  behind  the 
rail-fence  on  Breed's  Hill,  reserved  their  fire  till  they  saw  the  whites 
of  the  advancing  enemy's  eye,  were  principally  engaged  in  turkey- 
shoots  on  Thanksgiving  day,  or,  during  the  fall,  in  bringing  down 
4 


og  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

squirrels  with  bullets  from  the  tops  of  the  tallest  hickories.  The 
duty  of  escorting  the  Governor  from  Bull's  Tavern  to  the  State  House, 
and  from  the  State  House  to  the  Meeting  House,  which,  in  more 
spirited  times,  had  evoked  all  the  airs  and  graces  of  our  citizen- 
soldiery,  was  grudgingly  performed  by  such  dilapidated  train-bands 
as  could  be  gathered  together.  Conscious  as  they  were  of  their 
rusty  equipments  and  imperfect  drill,  chafed  and  jeered  at  by  the 
crowd,  they  began  to  turn  into  ridicule  and  burlesque  their  part 
of  the  election  ceremonies,  and  to  degrade,  rather  than  dignify,  the 
inauguration  of  a  Governor.  It  is  said  that  one  of  these  companies 
went  to  a  webbing  manufactory,  which  had  been  established  in  Hart- 
ford, and  obtained  therefrom  variegated  webs  with  which  they  deco- 
rated their  knees,  in  imitation  of  old  knights  of  the  garter. 

In  this  state  of  things,  a  few  of  our  prominent  citizens,  in  whose 
veins  may  have  lingered  some  of  the  martial  fervors  of  the  old  French 
war,  or  who,  perhaps,  may  have  dimly  discerned  the  still  distant  war- 
cloud  that  was  gathering  on  our  eastern  horizon,  memorialized  the 
General  Assembly  to  charter  a  company  whose  sole  duty  should 
be  "  to  attend  upon  and  guard  the  Governor  and  General  Assembly 
on  election  day,  and  at  all  other  times,  as  occasion  shall  require." 
The  train-bands,  which  had  hitherto  performed  escort  duty  in  so 
slovenly  a  manner,  joyfully  backed  up  the  memorialists  with  petitions 
in  aid,  and  the  result  was  that  the  General  Assembly,  in  its  October 
session  of  1771,  incorporated  the  Governor's  Guard,  which  remains 
your  chartered  name  until  this  day.  The  memorialists  organized 
under  their  charter  with  commendable  promptness  and  zeal,  and 
at  the  next  session  of  the  General  Assembly  (May,  1772),  informed  it, 
through  their  first  captain,  SAMUEL  WYLLYS,  that  they  had  filled 
their  ranks,  chosen  officers,  purchased  uniforms,  colors,  drums  and 
fifes,  and  petitioned  the  state  to  purchase  sixty-four  stand  of  arms  to 
complete  their  equipment.  The  prayer  was  granted,  and  your  first 
stand  of  arms  was  purchased  in  Bristol,  England. 

When  the  Second  Company  of  Governor's  Guard  was  incorporated, 
you  were  obliged,  for  the  purposes  of  distinction,  to  append  "  First 
Company  of"  to  your  chartered  name,  and  when  the  Horse  Guard 
was  incorporated,  to  amend  further  by  inserting  "  Foot "  before 
"  Guard ;  "  and  thus  by  piece-meal  has  grown  up  the  name  by  which 
you  are  generally  known  and  designated,  "  The  First  Company  of 
Governor's  Foot  Guard." 

I  believe  that  I  am  justified  in  stating,  although  I  have  been  able 
to  find  no  record  evidence  to  justify  it,  that  your  first  parade  was  in 
May,  1772,  for  the  General  Assembly,  in  the  resolution  which  grants 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS,  27 

the  petition  for  arms,  affirms  that  it  has  "observed  and  approved 
your  appearance  and  conduct,"  as  if  it  had  actually  seen  you  in  line 
or  on  march.  What  was  your  uniform  on  this  first  parade?  I  know 
that,  in  asking  this  question,  I  am  treading  on  questionable  ground. 
I  am  aware  that  beliefs  and  traditions  prevail  that  the  scarlet  uniform 
came  in  with  Captain  ROOT  or  Captain  TERRY.  I  have  been  recently 
informed  by  the  oldest  inhabitant,  that,  prior  to  Captain  TERRY'S 
day,  the  uniform  of  the  Guard  was  blue  faced  with  red.  But  I  am 
able  to  correct  such  a  belief,  if  such  a  belief  prevails,  upon  the  highest 
evidence  of  which  the  case  admits, — a  written  record  made  by  an  eye- 
witness at  the  time.  There  happened  to  be  in  Hartford,  in  May,  1776, 
four  years  after  your  first  parade,  a  Major  FRENCH,  of  the  Twenty- 
second  Royal  Regiment,  who  had  been  sent  to  Governor  TRUMBULL 
for  safe-keeping.  He  fortunately  kept  a  diary,  and,  under  date 
of  May  10,  1776,  entered  as  follows: — 

"  The  election  of  a  Governor,  etc.,  came  off  to-day,  when  the  old  one 
(Trumbull)  was  elected ;  he  marched  in  great  state,  escorted  by  his  guards, 
in  scarlet  turned  up  with  black,  to  the  State  House,  and  from  thence  to  the 
Meeting  House." 

Unless,  then,  we  adopt  the  preposterous  supposition,  that,  in  those 
pinched  and  parsimonious  times,  when  all  the  materials  for  uniforms 
were  imported  from  England,  the  Guard  had  renewed  its  uniform  be- 
tween 1772  and  1776,  we  have  conclusive  proof  that  the  uniform 
of  your  first  parade  was,  in  all  essential  particulars,  your  uniform  of 
to-day.  Major  FRENCH,  in  the  extract  which  I  have  quoted,  says 
nothing  of  the  unmentionables;  but  it  is  to  be  presumed  that  they 
were  of  the  same  color  and  fitted  as  tight  as  they  do  to  day.  I  beg 
pardon  of  the  ladies  for  being  thus  particular  on  an  article  of  dress, 
which  the  Guard  wore,  but  which  Highland  regiments  do  not.  The 
presumption  that  these  continuations  were  the  same  as  now,  rests 
partly  on  the  tradition  that  the  uniform  of  the  Guard  was  patterned 
after  that  of  the  Queen's  Guard. 

I  find  in  the  newspapers  the  usual  brief  notice,  of  the  creditable 
appearance  of  the  Guard  at  the  May  election  of  1777.  But  in  the 
next  October  you  had  a  more  memorable  turn-out.  The  General 
Assembly,  as  you  know,  in  these  days  held  biennial  sessions,  in  May  at 
Hartford  and  in  October  at  New  Haven;  but  the  October  turn-out,  of 
which  I  am  now  to  speak,  was  not  to  join  your  comrades  at  New 
Haven  in  escorting  the  Governor  to  the  State  House :  you  had  other 
business  on  hand.  It  was  the  darkest  hour  of  the  Revolutionary 
struggle.  BURGOYNE  had  broken  through  the  gates  of  Canada, 


28  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

swept  out  ST.  GLAIR  from  Ticonderoga,  captured  and  dismantled 
all  the  fortresses  from  the  foot  of  Lake  George  to  the  head-waters 
of  the  Hudson,  and  was  in  triumphant  progress  to  join  Sir  HENRY 
CLINTON,  and  cut  off  New  England  from  New  York,  by  establishing  a 
line  of  military  posts  from  Albany  to  Manhattan  Island.  All  the 
troops  in  the  eastern  states  were  rallied  to  prevent  the  consummation 
of  the  fatal  design.  The  Guard  were  not  obliged  to  go.  They  were 
not  liable  to  draft.  Their  duty  was  limited  to  "  guarding  the  Gov- 
ernor and  the  General  Assembly."  Under  no  circumstances  could 
they  be  forced  to  the  front,  unless  the  Governor  went  in  person ;  and 
Brother  JONATHAN  was  not  in  the  habit  of  taking  the  field,  but  con- 
ducted campaigns  from  his  war-office  at  Lebanon.  But  such  was  the 
imminence  of  national  peril,  that  the  Guard  unanimously  resolved  to 
go,  and  actually  went,  under  Captain  JONATHAN  BULL  ;  and  while,  as 
an  advance-guard  of  reinforcements  hurrying  to  Saratoga,  they  were 
crossing  the  Rhinebeck  flats,  they  were  met  by  a  messenger  with  the 
joyful  intelligence  that  BURGOYNE  had  surrendered,  and,  wheeling 
about,  marched  with  alacrity,  it  is  presumed,  for  the  banks  of  the 
Connecticut.* 

The  next  public  ceremony  in  which  the  Guard  participated  pre- 
sents itself  to  my  mind  as  the  most  interesting  and  imposing  in  their 
entire  history.  An  alliance  had  been  formed  between  the  United 
States  and  France.  A  fleet,  under  Admiral  TERNAY,  had  entered 
Newport  Harbor,  and  an  army  of  five  thousand  men,  under  the  Count 
DE  ROCHAMBEAXJ,  had  landed  on  the  shores  now  covered  by  the  lawns 
and  villas  of  that  most  attractive  watering-place  on  the  continent. 
In  order  to  combine  some  plan  of  future  operations,  it  was  indispen- 
sable that  there  should  be  a  personal  interview  between  the  command- 
ers of  the  allied  forces,  and  Hartford  was  selected  as  the  place,  and 
September  20,  1780,  as  the  time,  of  this  important  interview.  WASH- 
INGTON left  his  camp  at  Morristown,  with  KNOX,  LA  FAYETTE,  and  his 
confidential  secretaries  and  aides,  with  eight  thousand  dollars  of  con- 
tinental currency,  which  was  all  of  that  depreciated  commodity  that 
could  be  raked  and  scraped  together  for  the  expenses  of  the  expedi- 
tion. More  than  one-half  of  this  was  spent  before  they  left  New 
York,  and  the  party  was  dreading  the  day  of  settlement  with  those 
who  were  to  furnish  them  supplies  in  Connecticut,  when  they  learned 
on  reaching  the  border,  that  Governor  TRUMBULL  had  given  orders 
that  the  whole  cavalcade  should  be  on  free  commons,  while  they 
remained  within  the  state. 


*  See  Appendix  A. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  29 

Upon  their  appearance  near  the  city,  they  were  received  with 
imposing  ceremony.  The  Guard  went  forth  to  meet  them  as  escort 
and  guard  of  honor.  An  artillery  company  went  with  them,  called, 
in  the  language  of  the  day,  "  Matrosses,"  which  saluted  the  com- 
mander-in-chief  with  thirteen  guns  as  he  entered  the  town.  The 
Guard  escorted  the  distinguished  guests  to  the  residence  of  Colonel 
WADSWORTH,  which  stood  where  the  Wadsworth  Athenaeum  now 
stands,  where  they  wrere  cordially  welcomed  by  TRUMBULL,  WADS- 
WORTH,  and  the  chief  dignitaiies  of  the  town  and  state. 

The  next  morning,  the  Guard,  accompanied  by  the  "  Matrosses  " 
as  before,  inarched  to  the  foot  of  Morgan  Street,  to  receive  the 
French  general  and  admiral,  with  their  retinue.  As  soon  as  they 
crossed  the  river,  the  artillery  rent  the  air  with  its  salvoes.  The 
Guard,  wheeling  into  line,  escorted  ROCHAMBEAU  (Admiral  TERNAY 
riding  in  a  barouche,  for  he  was  too  infirm  to  leave  it)  and  their  gaily 
attired  attendants  and  aides,  to  the  front  of  the  State  House,  where 
WASHINGTON  with  his  retinue  were  stationed  to  receive  them.  WASH- 
INGTON and  ROCHAMBEAU  dismounted,  and,  in  their  persons,  France 
and  America  shook  hands  together.  They  proceeded  to  the  carriage 
of  the  admiral,  and  he  is  saluted  in  the  name  of  the  now  consum- 
mated alliance. 

If  you  would  have  an  historical  painting,  to  adorn  your  armory, 
of  a  pageant,  the  most  picturesque  in  exterior  outlines  and  the  most 
inspiring  from  its  moral  grandeur,  in  which  your  corps  has  ever  parti- 
cipated, let  this  scene,  in  which  the  Guard  acted  so  conspicuous 
a  part,  be  transferred  to  canvas.  Here  was  WASHINGTON,  LA  FAY- 
ETTE,  KNOX,  with  their  aides,  in  that  beautiful  costume  of  the 
continental  army,  —  blue  coats  with  massive  epaulets,  long  buff  vests, 
buff  breeches  with  knee  buckles,  long  spurred  boots,  all  surmounted 
with  the  charming  old  chapeau  with  its  parti-colored  plumes.  Here 
were  the  noble  Frenchmen  of  the  old  regime,  flaunting  in  varied  but 
gorgeous  uniforms,  blazing  with  the  jeweled  insignia  of  different 
orders.  Here  was  TERNAY,  in  the  full  dress  of  a  French  admiral, 
languishing  in  his  barouche,  too  feeble  to  rise.  Here  was  a  group, 
composed  of  TRUMBULL,  WADSWORTH,  and  other  patriots  of  the  day, 
in  the  close  fitting  small-clothes,  embroidered  vests  and  broad-flapped 
coats  of  crimson  or  drab,  worn  by  the  opulent  citizens  of  the  period. 
Here  were  the  Guard,  in  scarlet  and  black,  with  buff  cassimere  waist- 
coats and  pantaloons,  the  traditional  bearskins  on  their  heads,  proud 
of  the  spectacle,  splendidly  alligned,  their  muskets  throwing  back 
the  beams  of  the  sun  as  they  present  arms  to  the  embracing  com- 
manders. Here  was  every  street,  doorway,  window,  roof-top,  coign- 


30  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

of-vantage,  crowded  with  eager  spectators,  leaning  forward  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  grand  personages  and  imposing  pageant.  Here  were 
the  allied  armies  of  France  and  America,  united  for  the  first  time, 
and  met  to  deliberate  upon  matters  which  involved  the  fate  of  a 
continent.  All  this,  I  say,  constitutes  picturesque  effects,  romantic 
interest,  moral  grandeur,  worthy  the  pencil  of  any  artist  who  would 
live  forever  in  the  memory  of  his  countrymen  and  mankind. 

After  these  ceremonies  in  front  of  the  State  House,  the  Guard 
wheeled  into  platoons,  and  escorted  the  American  and  French  com- 
manders to  the  residence  of  Colonel  WADSWORTH,  where  the  import- 
ant matters  which  had  called  them  together  were  fully  discussed. 
The  conference  between  the  commanders  lasted  until  the  following 
Friday,  when,  with  similar  honors  from  the  Guard,  a  similar  salute 
from  the  "  Matrosses,"  ROCHAMBEAU  and  his  companions  wended 
their  way  to  Newport,  and  WASHINGTON  with  his  to  the  head-quarters 
of  the  army.  Nor  was  the  scene  which  I  have  just  minutely  described 
the  only  one  in  which  the  Guard  acted  as  guard  of  honor  to  the  allied 
commanders-in-chief.  The  next  spring  (May,  1781),  another  interview 
between  WASHINGTON,  ROCHAMBEAU,  and  TRUMBULL  was  held  at  the 
Webb  house,  in  Wethersfield,  which  was  even  more  momentous  than 
the  one  held  the  previous  fall  at  Hartford.  For  at  the  Webb  house 
was  originated  the  plan  of  that  memorable  campaign  which  was  con- 
summated when  a  French  fleet  blockaded  the  mouth  of  the  York 
River,  cutting  off  all  communication  of  CORNWALLIS  with  the  sea, 
and  the  allied  forces  environed  his  posts  at  Yorktown  and  Gloucester 
Point,  until  they  compelled  the  surrender  of  his  entire  army.  We 
learn  from  a  diary  of  Governor  TRUMBULL,  that  WASHINGTON  and 
ROCHAMBEAU  accompanied  him  to  Hartford,  to  dine  at  COLLYER'S, 
when  the  Guards  and  "  Matrosses "  turned  out,  and  a  military 
pageant  occurred  similar  to  the  one  which  was  tendered  them  on  their 
previous  visit.  The  next  August,  we  find  the  Guard  accompanying 
Governor  TRUMBULL  to  Danbury,  to  meet  the  Council  of  Safety,  and 
we  learn,  from  the  same  diary,  that  a  part  of  the  route  —  particularly 
the  town  of  Newton  —  was  so  infested  with  tories,  that  a  military 
force  was  not  merely  a  guard  of  honor,  but  was  essential  to  his 
personal  safety.  We  find  them,  April  30,  1783,  parading  and  cele- 
brating the  peace  which  had  been  so  long  desired,  and  was  so 
cordially  welcomed,  and  finally,  on  May  21,  1784,  paying  their  last 
tribute  of  respect  and  affection,  by  escorting  the  good  old  Governor 
to  Lebanon,  on  his  final  retirement  from  the  duties  and  responsibilities 
of  public  life.  I  can  not  close  this  first  period  of  your  career  without 
presenting  a  brief  sketch  of  the  celebrated  magistrate  with  whom 
your  early  history  was  so  completely  identified. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  3^ 

He  was  not  one  of  your  straight,  broad-chested,  martial  men, 
pride  in  his  port,  defiance  in  his  eye,  —  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes  at  the 
review,  parade,  march.  He  was  none  of  your  debonnaire  governors,  of 
popular  manners  and  dextrous  address.  He  was  not  fond  of  reining 
curvetting  chargers  through  crowded  thoroughfares  at  the  head  of 
election  processions,  bowing  obsequiously  to  approving  demonstrations 
on  either  side,  wafting  gracious  smiles  if  not  amorous  glances  at  the 
dulcineas  in  the  windows  and  balconies;  but  was,  on  the  contrary,  a 
thoughtful  man,  lowly  in  his  carriage,  demure  in  his  looks,  seemingly 
oppressed  that  his  Maker  had  selected  a  mere  potsherd  for  such 
exalted  positions  and  such  weighty  responsibilities.  He  had  studied 
for  the  ministry  in  his  youth,  and  carried  through  life  the  cut-of-the- 
jib  of  a  Calvinistic  divine.  He  was  a  scholar,  who  read  the  Bible  not 
in  any  Latin  vulgate,  not  often  even  in  the  closet  in  the  sweet  accents 
of  his  native  tongue,  but  in  the  mother  languages  of  the  Scriptures, 
as  the  Hebrew  in  Jerusalem  wrote  the  one,  and  the  Greek  in  Corinth 
spoke  the  other.  He  corresponded  with  Baron  VAN  DER  CAPELLAN, 
a  magnate  of  Holland,  on  the  profoundest  problems  of  political 
philosophy,  and  with  Doctor  STILES,  the  erudite  president  of  Yale 
College,  on  the  most  perplexing  mysteries  of  theology.  He  was  a 
merchant,  prompt  in  business  and  punctual  in  payments,  wary  in 
policy,  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  when  the  chief  operations  of  the 
merchants  were  to  furnish  supplies  to  armies  operating  against  the 
Canadas,  and  when  all  the  wares  and  merchandise  were  imported 
from  London,  Dublin,  and  Bristol.  He  had  passed  through  all  the 
grades  of  Connecticut  public  life,  —  speaker  of  the  House,  assistant, 
chief-justice,  lieutenant  governor,  governor.  He  was  the  brain,  heart, 
and  muscle  of  Connecticut  all  through  the  Revolution,  and  an  accurate 
exponent  of  its  principles,  prejudices,  habits.  I  have  found  two  con- 
temporary sketches  of  him  by  the  Marquis  of  CHASTELLUX,  a  dashing 
hussar  attached  to  the  legion  of  the  Due  DE  LAUZUN,  the  crack  corps 
of  the  French  army.  The  Marquis  was  quartered  one  winter  in 
Lebanon,  near  the  humble  mansion  of  the  revered  chief- magistrate, 
and  was  intimate  with  him  and  his  ways.  I  present  the  portrait 
of  the  vivacious  Frenchman,  in  contrast  with  delineations  of  the 
same  personage  by  soberer  heads,  and  in  comparison  with  the  ideal 
presentation  of  TRUMBULL  which  has  lately  been  exhibited  in  the 
vestibule  of  the  State  House,  and  which  is  destined  to  decorate  the 
Capitol  of  the  nation : — 

"On  returning  from  the  chasse,  I  dined  at  the  Duke  DE  LAUZUN,  with 
Governor  TKUMBULL  and  General  HUNTISGTOX.  The  former  lives  at  Lebanon, 
and  the  other  had  come  from  Norwich.  I  have  already  painted  Governor 


32  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

TKUMBULL  ;  at  present  you  have  only  to  represent  to  yourself  this  little  old 
man,  in  the  antique  dress  of  the  first  settlers  in  this  colony,  approaching  a 
table  surrounded  by  twenty  hussar  officers,  and,  without  cither  disconcerting 
himself  or  losing  any  of  his  formal  stiffness,  pronouncing,  in  a  loud  voice,  a 
long  prayer  in  the  form  of  a  bencdidte.  Let  it  not  be  imagined  that  he  excites 
the  laughter  of  his  auditors:  they  are  too  well  trained.  You  must,  on  the 
contrary,  figure  to  yourself  twenty  ameiis  issuing  at  once  from  the  midst 
of  forty  mustaches,  and  you  will  have  some  idea  of  this  little  scene.  But  M. 
DE  LA.UZUN  is  the  man  to  relate  how  this  good,  methodical  Governor,  didactic 
in  all  his  actions,  invariably  says  that  he  will  consider  ;  that  he  must  refer  to 
his  council;  how  of  little  affairs  he  makes  great  ones,  and  how  happy  a 
mortal  he  is  when  he  has  any  to  transact.  Thus  in  the  two  hemispheres, 
Paris  alone  excepted,  ridicule  must  not  imply  inaptitude  to  govern ;  since  it  is 
by  the  character  men  govern,  and  by  the  character  men  make  themselves 
ridiculous."* 

We  enter  now  on  the  second  epoch  into  which  your  history  divides 
itself,  — from  May,  1784,  when  you  paid  these  last  honors  to  Governor 
TRUMBULL,  to  May,  1802,  when  NATHANIEL  TERRY  was  elected  your 
captain.  I  shall  soon  dispose  of  this  period,  for  it  is  one  of  barrenness 
and  desolation.  I  have  looked  over  The  Courant  for  every  year 
within  this  epoch,  and  find  that  you  annually  paraded  on  the  1st 
of  May,  and  that  your  organization  continued  unbroken ;  but  it  seems 
to  me  that  you  lived  at  a  poor,  dying  rate.  It  was  another  period  of 
lull  between  two  wars.  Martial  ardor  was  again  in  abeyance.  Mili- 
tary organizations  were  again  dilapidated.  There  was  nothing  in  the 
times  to  excite  any  martial  enthusiasm:  people  were  principally 
engaged  in  devising  ways  and  means  to  pay  the  debts  with  which, 
personal  and  public,  the  nation  was  overwhelmed,  in  discussing  the 
defects  of  the  old  Articles  of  Confederation,  and  in  planning  for  a 
Federal  Convention  and  the  new  Constitution.  The  governors  of  this 
period  were  three  in  number,  and  all  men  of  the  pen,  and  in  no  sense 
men  of  the  sword.  I  doubt  if  either  of  them  would  have  ventured  to 
mount,  on  election  parade,  a  horse  even  as  decorous  and  well-behaved 
as  "  Pathfinder."  And  the  Guard  are  never  particularly  enthusiastic, 
if  the  Governor  does  not  ride  a  horse.  Your  ranks  were  probably 
thin,  your  equipments  rusty,  your  uniforms  much  worn,  your  dis- 
cipline in  decay;  for  I  notice  that,  during  this  period  (1798), 
WASHINGTON  spent  four  days  in  Hartford.  It  was  seventeen  years 
since  you  had  appeared  in  his  presence.  Would  not  the  Guard  have 
turned  out,  if  they  had  considered  themselves  presentable?  And  yet 
we  find,  from  the  diary  which  WASHINGTON  kept  during  this  tour, 
that  the  Horse  Guard  escorted  him  into  the  city; 'but  he  makes  no 


*  See  Appendix  B. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  33 

mention,  as  was  his  habit  on  previous  visits  here,  of  the  Foot  Guard. 
The  captains,  during  this  period,  were  CHARLES  HOPKINS,  GEORGE 
BULL,  JOSEPH  DAY,  JESSE  ROOT,  —  the  latter  of  whom,  as  he  survived 
until  1828,  is  well  remembered  by  our  senior  citizens,  as  an  elegant 
and  accomplished  gentleman  of  the  olden  time. 

We  now  enter  upon  your  third  period,  commencing  with  the 
election  of  NATHANIEL  TERRY  to  the  captaincy,  and  extending  from 
1802  to  1826,  when  Major  CHARLES  WELLS  was  elected  to  your 
command, — an  epoch  of  great  splendor  and  distinction.  The  rapid 
rise  of  the  Guard  in  eclat  was  somewhat  due  to  the  character  of  the 
Governor,  —  the  second  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL, —  who  came  in  from 
Lebanon,  and  was  met  by  the  Horse  Guard,  and  mounted  a  prancing 
steed  at  the  foot  of  Morgan  Street,  and  revived  the  traditions  and 
memories  of  his  glorious  old  father.  But  this  eclat  and  reputation 
were  mainly  due  to  the  personal  character  of  their  commander. 

NATHANIEL  TERRY  was  a  man  of  capacity,  culture,  address,  fitted 
to  adorn  any  station,  —  every  inch  a  soldier,  and  standing  seventy-six 
inches  in  his  stocking-feet.  A  man  of  personal  magnetism,  he  in- 
spired every  private  with  his  own  martial  zeal  and  enthusiasm,  and 
presented  to  every  officer  and  private,  in  his  own  person,  the  com- 
pletest  model  of  soldierly  bearing  and  elegance.  He  took  great  pride 
in  the  Guards,  which  he  commanded  for  eleven  years,  and  only  left 
them  by  promotion  to  a  seat  in  Congress,  which  he  filled  with  an 
ability  that  is  remembered  there  until  this  day.  His  love  for  his  old 
command  lingered  to  the  last,  and  his  last  appearance  before  you,  in 
venerable  old  age,  was  on  your  seventy-second  anniversary,  May  2, 
1942,  at  the  City  Hotel,  where,  in  response  to  an  invitation,  he  pre- 
sented himself  with  that  courtesy  and  politeness  which  was  his 
characteristic  throughout  life,  and,  after  thanking  Major  SWEETSER 
for  his  civility,  and  stating  that  age  and  infirmities  prevented  him 
from  joining  the  festivities  of  the  evening,  left  to  be  offered  at  the 
proper  season  this  sentiment,  and  retired : — 

The  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard:  May  they  ever  hereafter 
remain,  as  they  have  ever  been  heretofore,  a  model  of  excellence  as  citizen- 
Boldiers. 

The  only  drawback  upon  his  accomplishments  as  an  officer  was, 
that  he  unfortunately  could  not  keep  step  to  music,  and  when  he  was 
mere  captain,  and  before  he  was  entitled  to  ride  a  horse  as  major,  he 
strode  at  the  head  of  the  company  entirely  independent  of  the  band, 
or  strode  at  its  side  immersed  in  a  crowd  of  boys.  He  was  exceed- 
ingly imperious,  and  woe  to  the  countryman  and  his  horse  who 
5 


34 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


obtruded  on  the  space  reserved  for  the  Guard,  either  on  parade  or 
irarcli.  He  would  attack  both  horse  and  countryman,  and  whack 
tnem  with  the  flat  of  his  sword.  He  was  once  arraigned  for  an 
offense  of  this  kind  before  our  trying-justice,  General  NATHAN  JOHN- 
SON, for  you  must  remember  that  we  had  no  police  courts  in  those 
days.  The  general  appeared  in  citizen's  dress,  and  stood  leaning  on 
his  cane.  The  countryman  was  sworn,  and  told  his  story.  The  Jus- 
tice called  upon  the  Major  to  reply,  who  said:  "I  have  watched 
attentively  every  thing  which  has  fallen  from  the  lips  of  the  plaintiff 
in  this  case,  I  believe  that  he  has  given  an  extremely  accurate 
account  of  the  transaction.  I  have  only  to  apologize  to  your  honor, 
for  having,  in  the  heat  of  passion,  violated  the  laws  of  the  land,  and 
to  submit  to  the  judgment  of  the  court."  The  Justice  fined  him 
seven  dollars  and  costs,  which  the  Major  paid  and  retired  with  a  bow. 
During  this  era,  we  continually  meet  in  the  newspapers  such 
notices  as  this :  "  Captain  TERRY'S  company,  in  particular,  exhibited 
an  exactness  of  discipline  and  a  display  of  skill  which  have,  perhaps, 
never  been  equalled  in  this  state."  I  find  in  the  travels  of  EDWARD 
AUGUSTUS  KENDALL  the  following  account  of  an  Election  day  in 
Connecticut,  in  May,  1307:— 

In  the  spring  of  the  year  1807,  I  visited  those  districts  of  the  United  States 
which  lie  eastward  of  the  Hudson  River,  and  which  include  the  territory  of 
five  states, — Connecticut,  Rhode  Island,  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire,  and 
Vermont.  An  object  of  immediate  attraction  was  the  great  festival  of  Con- 
necticut, called  the  day  of  general  election,  and  popularly  the  election  day, 
held  annually  in  the  city  of  Hartford,  on  the  second  Thursday  in  May.  Having 
remained  in  New  York  till  the  tenth  of  the  same  month,  I  proceeded,  ou 
commencing  my  journey,  direct  to  Hartford.  The  distance  by  land  is  a  little 
more  than  a  hundred  and  twenty  miles. 

The  election  day  is  at  present  that  on  which,  at  the  meeting  of  the  General 
Assembly,  the  written  votes  of  the  freemen  for  a  governor,  lieutenant- 
governor,  and  other  officers  appointed  to  be  chosen,  are  counted,  the  result 
declared,  and  the  persons  elected  sworn  to  perform  the  duties  of  their 
respective  offices. 

I  reached  Hartford  at  noon  on  Wednesday,  the  nineteenth  of  May.  The 
city  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Connecticut,  forty-five  miles  above  its  mouth. 
The  governor,  whose  family  residence  is  on  the  east  side  of  the  river,  at  some 
distance  from  Hartford,  was  expected  to  arrive  in  the  evening.  This  gentle- 
man, whose  name  is  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL,  is  the  son  of  the  late  Governor 
JONATHAN  TRUMBULL  ;  and,  though  the  election  is  annual,  he  has  himself 
been  three  or  four  years  in  office,  and  will  almost  certainly  so  continue  during 
the  remainder  of  his  life.  It  was  known  that  the  votes  were  at  this  time  in 
his  favor. 

The  governor  has  volunteer  companies  of  guards,  both  horse  and  foot. 
In  the  afternoon  the  horse  were  drawn  up  on  the  banks  of  the  river  to  receive 
him  and  escort  him  to  his  lodgings.  He  came  before  sunset;  and  the  fineness 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  35 

of  the  evening,  the  beauty  of  the  river,  and  the  respectable  appearance  of  the 
governor  and  of  the  troop,  the  dignity  of  the  occasion,  and  the  decorum 
observed,  united  to  gratify  the  spectator.  The  color  of  the  clothes  of  the 
troop  was  blue;  the  governor,  though  on  horseback,  was  dressed  in  black ; 
but  he  wore  a  cockade  in  a  hat  which  1  did  not  like  the  less  because  it  was  in 
its  form  rather  of  the  old  school  than  of  the  new. 

In  the  morning,  the  Foot  Guards  were  paraded  in  front  of  the  State 
House,  where  they  afterward  remained  under  arms,  while  the  troop  of  horse 
occupied  the  street,  which  is  on  the  south  side  of  the  building.  The  clothing 
of  the  foot  was  scarlet,  with  white  waistcoats  and  pantaloons,  and  their 
appearance  and  demeanor  were  military.  The  day  was  fine,  and  the  apart- 
ments and  galleries  of  the  State  House  afforded  an  agreeable  place  of  meeting, 
in  which  the  members  of  the  Assembly  and  others  awaited  the  coming  of  the 
governor. 

At  about  eleven  o'clock,  His  Excellency  entered  the  State  House,  and 
shortly  after  took  his  place  at  the  head  of  a  procession,  which  was  made  to  a 
meeting-house  or  church  at  something  less  than  half  a  mile  distance.  The 
procession  was  on  foot,  and  was  composed  of  the  person  of  the  governor, 
together  with  the  lieutenant-governor,  assistants,  high  sheriffs,  members  of 
the  lower  house  of  Assembly,  and,  unless  with  accidental  exceptions,  all  the 
clergy  of  the  state.  It  was  preceded  by  the  Foot  Guards,  and  followed  by  the 
horse  and  attended  by  gazers,  that,  considering  the  size  and  population  of  the 
city,  may  be  said  to  be  numerous. 

The  church,  which  from  its  situation  is  called  the  South  Meeting-house,  is 
a  small  one,  and  was  resorted  to  on  this  occasion  only  because  that  more 
ordinarily  used  was  rebuilding.  The  edifice  is  of  wood,  alike  unornamented 
within  and  without,  and  when  filled  there  was  still  presented  to  the  eye 
nothing  but  what  had  the  plainest  appearance.  The  military  remained  in  the 
street,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  officers  to  whom  no  place  of  honor  or 
distinction  was  assigned.  Neither  the  governor  nor  other  magistrates  were 
accompanied  with  any  insignia  of  office;  the  clergy  had  no  canonical  cos- 
tumes, and  there  were  no  females  in  the  church,  except  a  few  (rather  more 
than  twenty  in  number)  who  were  stationed  by  themselves  in  a  gallery 
opposite  the  pulpit,  in  quality  of  singers. 

A  decent  order  was  the  highest  characteristic  that  presented  itself.  The 
pulpit  (or,  as  it  was  then  called,  the  desk)  was  filled  with  three  if  not  four 
clergymen,  a  number  which,  by  its  form  and  dimensions,  it  was  able  to 
accommodate.  Of  these,  one  opened  the  service  with  prayer,  another  deliv- 
ered a  sermon,*  a  third  made  a  concluding  prayer,  and  a  fourth  pronounced  a 
benediction.  Several  hymns  were  sung ;  and  among  others  an  occasional  one. 
The  total  number  of  singers  was  between  forty  and  fifty.  The  sermon,  as 
will  be  supposed,  touched  upon  matters  of  government.  When  all  was 
finished,  the  procession  returned  to  the  State  House.  The  clergy,  who 
walked,  were  about  a  hundred  in  number. 

It  was  in  the  two  bodies  of  guards  alone  that  any  suitable  approach  to 
magnificence  discovered  itself.  The  governor  was  full  dressed,  in  a  suit 
of  black,  but  the  lieutenant-governor  wore  ridiug-boots.  All,  however,  was 
consistently  plain,  and  in  unison  with  itself,  except  the  dress-swords  which 

*  See  Appendix  C. 


36  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

were  worn  by  the  high  sheriffs,  along  with  their  village  habiliments,  and  of 
which  the  fashion  and  materials  were  marvelously  diversified.  Arrived  in 
front  of  the  State  House,  the  military  formed  on  each  side  of  the  street,  and, 
as  the  governor  passed  them,  presented  arms.  The  several  parts  of  the  pro- 
cession now  separated,  each  retiring  to  a  dinner  prepared  for  itself  at  an 
adjoining  inn,  the  governor,  lieutenant-governor,  and  assistants  to  their  table, 
the  clergy  to  a  second,  and  the  representatives  to  a  third.  The  time  of  day 
was  about  two  in  the  afternoon.  Only  a  short  time  elapsed  before  business 
was  resumed,  or  rather  at  length  commenced.  The  General  Assembly  sat  in 
the  council-room,  and  the  written  votes  being  examined  and  counted,  the 
names  of  the  public  officers  elected  were  formally  declared.  They  were  in 
every  instance  the  same  as  those  which  had  been  successful  the  preceding  year 
and  for  several  years  before.  This  done  the  lieutenant-governor  administrates 
the  oath  to  the  governor  elect,  who,  being  sworn,  proceeded  to  administer 
their  respective  oaths  to  the  lieutenant-governor  and  the  rest;  and  here  termi- 
nated the  affair  of  the  election  day. 

Soon  after  six  o'clock  the  military  fired  three  feux  de  joies,  and  were  then 
dismissed.  On  the  evening  following  that  of  the  election  day  there  is  an 
annual  ball  at  Hartford,  called  the  election  ball,  and  on  the  succeeding 
Monday  a  second  which  is  more  select. 

The  election  day  is  a  holiday  throughout  the  state  ;  and  even  the  whole 
remainder  of  the  week  is  regarded  in  a  similar  light.  Servants  and  others  are 
now  in  some  measure  indemnified  for  the  loss  of  the  festivals  of  Christmas, 
Easter,  and  Whitsuntide,  which  the  principles  of  their  church  deny  them. 
Families  exchange  visits,  and  treat  their  guests  with  relics  of  election  cake,  and 
thus  preserve  some  portion  of  the  luxuries  of  the  forgotten  feast  of  the 
Epiphany. 

The  whole  day,  like  the  morning  and  like  the  evening  which  preceded  it, 
was  fine.  In  Hartford  the  degree  of  bustle  was  sufficient  to  give  an  air 
of  importance  to  the  scene,  —  a  scene  that,  taken  altogether,  was  not  unfitted 
to  leave  on  the  mind  a  pleasing  and  respectful  impression. 

Under  TERRY  was  the  era  of  your  reorganization.  He  was  fre- 
quently, during  his  command,  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly, 
and  his  influence  in  your  behalf  secured  any  legislation  which  was 
desirable  for  your  welfare.  In  1771,  the  Guard  consisted  of  a  captain, 
one  lieutenant,  one  ensign,  four  sergeants,  four  corporals,  and  sixty- 
seven  privates.  In  1802,  a  reorganization  gave  a  captain,  two  lieuten- 
ants, one  ensign,  eight  sergeants,  eight  corporals,  fourteen  musicians, 
six  fifers,  four  drummers,  and  ninety-six  privates,  making  a  total 
of  one  hundred  and  forty.  In  1809,  it  was  enacted  that  the  captains 
of  the  companies  of  Foot  Guard  should  have  the  rank  of  major,  and 
also  that  there  should  be  four  lieutenants  to  the  first  company,  the 
first  of  whom  should  have  the  rank  of  captain. 

On  May  19,  1812,  the  Guard  turned  out  for  their  annual  escort, 
under  Major  TERRY'S  command,  with  a  hundred  and  thirty-six  men, 
and  presented  a  remarkable  display  of  military  skill  and  discipline. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  37 

It  was  during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain.  The  feeling  in 
Connecticut  was  far  from  friendly  to  the  administration,  and  was 
decidedly  opposed  to  the  war.  The  Hartford  Convention  was  in 
prospect,  and  the  government  sent  on  here  a  company  of  fifty 
men,  ostensibly  for  the'  purpose  of  recruiting.  Collisions  daily 
occurred  between  the  recruits  and  citizens.  Popular  feeling  was 
in  a  feverish  state,  and  more  serious  encounters  were  constantly 
apprehended.  Under  this  state  of  things,  came  oft'  the  election 
parade.  Major  TERRY  had  escorted  the  Governor  and  other  dig- 
nitaries to  the  Center  Church,  and  had  opened  ranks  and  the 
Governor  had  passed  through,  and  the  major  himself  had  entered 
the  church.  While  the  Guard  was  standing  thus,  in  open  ranks,  the 
recruiting  company  was  seen  charging  up  the  sidewalk  at  double- 
quick,  evidently  with  the  intent  of  striking  the  Guard  in  the  rear. 
At  this  moment.  Major  TERRY  came  out  on  to  the  colonnade  of  the 
church.  That  large  gray  eye  of  his  took  in  the  situation  at  a  glance. 
In  a  voice  that  could  be  heard  a  mile,  he  gave  orders:  "Attention, 
battalion !  Right  about  face !  Charge  bayonets !  "  and  the  recruiting 
company  halted  within  a  foot  of  the  glittering  steel  of  the  Guard. 
As  Major  TERRY  stood  on  the  colonnade,  his  face  suffused  witli 
emotion,  my  informant  assures  me  that  he  appeared  to  him  the  most 
magnificent  officer  that  ever  wore  your  uniform  or  any  other. 

Major  TERRY  was  succeeded,  on  June  3,  1813,  by  Major  ISAAC  D. 
BULL,  whom  many  of  us  remember  in  his  old  age,  as  very  active, 
particular,  exact,  and  precise  in  all  his  habits.  What  must  he  have 
been,  in  the  prime  of  life,  at  the  head  of  the  Guard?  He  was  not 
wanting  in  due  appreciation  of  the  position  of  major.  "  I  under- 
stand," said  he,  to  a  newly  elected  major,  "  that  you  have  been 
promoted  to  the  command  of  the  First  Company  of  Governor's  Foot 
Guard.  Do  you  realize  the  dignity  to  which  you  have  attained? 
The  Governor  himself  is  your  only  superior." 

From  1816  to  1819,  Major  RICHARD  E.  GOODWIN  was  your  com- 
mandant. Under  him,  you  paraded  to  celebrate  the  peace  of  1815, 
which  is  described,  in  contemporary  newspapers,  as  the  most  splendid 
military  pageant  which  Hartford  had  ever  seen.  Under  him,  too,  you 
performed  escort  duty  to  Commodore  McDoNOUGH,  when  the  state 
of  New  York,  by  its  authorities  in  person,  presented  to  him,  on  the 
steps  of  the'phoenix  Bank,  the  beautiful  sword  which  is  now  to 
be  seen  in  the  rooms  of  the  Historical  Society. 

From  May  12,  1819,  to  May  16,  1823,  Major  JAMES  M.  GOODWIN 
commanded  your  battalion.  I  always  had  a  great  respect  for  Major 
GOODWIN;  but,  when  I  find  that  he  was  chief  of  the  Guard  in  1821, 


38  HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 

and  failed  to  have  a  seini-centennial  celebration  of  the  organization 
of  your  company,  I  begin  to  fear  that  I  have  mistaken  the  character 
of  that  excellent  officer.  What  mere  sport  it  would  have  been  to 
have  ferreted  out  then  the  history  of  the  Guard !  Captain  WYLLYS, 
and  General  TERRY,  and  JESSE  ROOT,  were  all  alive,  and  their  living 
memory  carried  them  back  to  its  origin,  and  was  stored  with  all  the 
details  and  incidents  of  its  progress.  With  one  word,  with  a  glance 
of  the  eye,  they  could  have  settled  all  these  controverted  questions, 
all  the  obscure  events,  which  the  most  diligent  research,  on  this 
centennial,  fails  to  discover.  They  were  all  elegant  gentlemen,  and 
possessing  one  qualification  for  the  episcopate,  —  "  they  were  given  to 
hospitality;"  with  legs  under  their  mahogany,  what  imperial  times 
we  should  have  had  in  gossipping,  until  the  cock  crew,  about  the  old 
Guard!  When  Major  GOODWIN  commanded  the  Foot  Guard,  Major 
HART  commanded  the  Horse,  and,  when  Major  GOODWIN  and  Major 
HART  met,  Greek  met  Greek,  BONAPARTE  met  WELLINGTON:  they 
were  both  martinets;  both  knew  all  military  tactics  and  etiquette 
from  alpha  to  omega;  both  were  self-willed  men;  both  were  too 
opinionated  to  accept  any  umpire;  and  a  high  old  controversy  arose 
between  them  as  to  which  of  their  two  commands  was  entitled  to  the 
right,  on  election  parade.  They  fought  it  out  in  the  streets,  by 
maneuvers  and  counter-maneuvers,  by  marches  and  counter-marches, 
worthy  of  a  MARLBOROUGH  or  FREDERICK  the  GREAT. 

One  important  incident  occurred  when  Major  LYNDE  OLMSTED 
held  your  command.  It  was  in  June,  1823,  and  under  that  old 
historic  tree  whose  budding  had  been  watched  by  tawny  aborigines 
long  before  civilized  man  had  trod  these  meadows  as  the  signal  for 
planting  their  corn,  was  now  drawn  up  a  martial  band  of  white-faced 
men,  with  badges  of  sorrow  on  uniform  and  standard.  Through  the 
full  summer  foliage  of  the  Charter  Oak,  the  dappled  sunbeams  fell  on 
the  scarlet  aud  black.  You  had  met  to  lead  a  pathetic  and  melan- 
choly procession,  which  convoyed  all  that  was  mortal  of  your  first 
commander,  Captain  SAMUEL  WYLLYS,  to  the  old  Center  Burying- 
ground.  With  your  drum-band  playing  that  old,  solemn  Scottish 
dead-march  of  "  Roslyn  Castle,"  you  wheeled  into  Main  Street,  and 
marched  to  his  last  resting-place  through  an  avenue  of  sympathetic 
spectators.* 

Your  fourth  era  covers  the  time  from  the  command  of  Major 
CHARLES  WELLS  (April,  1826)  to  the  present  date.  You  had  ac- 
quired such  a  reputation,  that  you  were  invited  to  all  festivals  in 

*  See  Appendix  D. 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS.  39 

which  military  display  constituted  a  part.  It  is  the  era  of  excursions. 
Under  WELLS  your  first  excursion  was  made.  You  went  with  him  to 
Groton  Heights,  to  participate  in  laying  the  corner  stone  to  that 
monument  which  tells  mankind  how  LEDYARD  and  his  companions 
had  the  strength  to  die.  But,  before  proceeding  there,  let  us  pause 
and  pay  a  passing  salute  to  the  memory  of  your  commander.  Many 
of  us  remember  Major  WELLS.  It  is  no  reproach  to  his  memory,  to 
say  he  had  not  the  patience  of  JOB.  It  is  said  of  some  amiable  man, 
that  he  knew  not  what  wrath  was,  and  never  indulged  in  an  angry 
word.  I  do  not  believe  that  this  could  be  truthfully  said  of  Major 
WELLS,  nor  would  it  have  been  exactly  wise  for  him  to  have  adopted 
as  his  motto  the  words  of  Hamlet :  "  I  am  not  plethoric  or  rash."  If 
our  chaplain  had  preached  his  funeral  sermon  from  the  text,  "  A  man 
slow  to  anger  is  better  than  the  mighty,  and  he  that  ruleth  his  spirit, 
than  he  that  taketh  a  city,"  it  would  have  been  regarded  by  the 
knowing  ones  as  somewhat  satirical.  When  his  temper  was  occasion- 
ally riled  by  some  outrageous  provocation,  he  gave  vent  to  language 
not  so  choice  as  Lord  CHESTERFIELD'S,  nor  so  reverent  as  a  ritualistic 
divine's,  and  which  would  have  entitled  him  to  be  enrolled  in  the 
swearing  army  in  Flanders.  But  he  is  gone.  Peace  to  his  memory  ! 
In  my  judgment,  great  honesty,  true  manliness,  sincerity,  and  upright- 
ness went  with  him. 

No  time  seems  to  be  left  me  to  go  to  Grotou.  I  can  not  tell  how 
you  marched  aboard  the  McDonough;  how  her  ropes  were  strung  with 
flags,  pennants,  and  signals;  how  from  her  topmast  floated  a  white 
flag,  bearing  the  inscription,  "Fort  Griswold,  September  6,  1781;" 
how  you  were  greeted  with  cheers  and  salvoes  from  enthusiastic  spec- 
tators on  both  banks,  which  demonstrations  you  returned  from  a  little 
piece,  belonging  to  the  boat,  on  which  was  engraved,  "  Captured  by 
Commodore  McDoNOUGH  at  his  victory  on  Lake  Champlain."  You 
finally  reached  New  London,  where  you  were  warmly  greeted,  and, 
passing  over  to  Groton,  were  given  the  right  of  the  line  in  a  military 
turnout  of  great  splendor,  which  Major  WELLS,  of  course,  commanded 
and  countermanded  (as  was  his  wont)  during  the  entire  day.  Having 
visited  the  wide-awake  city  of  Norwich,  which  received  you  with  its 
proverbial  enthusiasm,  you  returned  home  brimful  of  patriotism  and 
esprit  du  corps.  A  full  account  of  the  excursion  is  spread  upon  the 
first  volume  of  your  records. 

Your  second  excursion  was  to  Springfield,  August  13,  1829,  under 
Major  GEORGE  PUTNAM;  and,  whatever  else  he  lacked,  he  did  not 
lack  self-esteem.  I  suppose  that,  in  his  mortal  pilgrimage,  he  never 
so  completely  realized,  in  anticipation,  the  fruition  of  his  immortal 
existence,  as  when  he  was  elected  major  of  the  Guard.  When  you 


40 


HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 


first  presented  arras  to  him,  and  wheeled  into  column,  he  floated  down 
the  street,  buoyed  in  air  by  his  serene  self-complacency.  He  was  one 
of  your  joyous,  self-satisfied  men,  hailing  every  corporal  who  ap- 
proached him  as  sergeant,  every  sergeant  as  lieutenant,  every  lieuten- 
ant as  captain,  and  would  shout  and  laugh  at  such  greetings  until  the 
tears  ran  down  his  cheeks.  He  was  elected  major  in  1828,  the  even 
year,  when  the  General  Assembly  met  at  New  Haven.  Of  course,  he 
could  not  parade  the  Guard  here.  But,  having  equipped  himself,  it 
was  not  in  his  nature  to  forego  the  pleasure  of  exhibiting  himself  in 
our  sister-capital,  and  down  he  went,  representing  the  Guard.  Armed 
cap-a-pie,  in  full  toggery,  scarlet  and  black,  so  new  and  brilliant  that 
they  fairly  flashed  back  the  beams  of  the  sun,  he  soon  appeared 
in  front  of  the  Tontine,  and  was  the  observed  of  all  observers. 
"  There  goes  the  Governor,"  exclaimed  one  little  ragged  urchin 
to  another.  "  Not  yet,  not  quite  yet,  my  little  friend,"  said  the  com- 
placent major,  patting  the  urchin  on  the  head.  Major  PUTNAM  led 
you,  or  rather  floated  and  poled  you  to  Springfield,  on  the  memorable 
13th  of  August,  1839;  for  you  embarked,  at  the  foot  of  State  Street, 
aboard  a  scow,  which  was  towed  up  the  river  by  one  of  those  comical 
little  steamers  which  some  of  us  remember,  with  a  mill-wheel  in 
its  stern,  and  which  DICKENS  describes  as  "  a  boat  of  half  a  pony 
power."  You  proceeded  cheerily  until  you  reached  Enfield  Falls, 
where  both  scow  and  steamer  stuck.  The  majority  of  the  company 
disembarked  and  walked  to  Thompsonville.  This  was  considered  by 
the  major  infra  dig,  and  he  remained  aboard  with  the  band.  The 
boys,  lounging  on  the  Thompsonville  bank,  in  the  course  of  an  hour 
or  two,  saw  the  sweating  major  and  the  perspiring  band,  poling  the 
big  scow  up  the  river.  You  had  contracted  with  the  captain  of  the 
steamer  to  be  delivered  at  Springfield  at  3  o'clock :  you  reached  the 
wharf  at  7.  For  four  hours,  Springfield  had  been  kept  agog,  and  had 
nursed  its  wrath  to  keep  it  warm.  Notwithstanding,  it  received  you 
with  open  arms.  You  were  met,  at  Pecowsick,  by  a  numerous  caval- 
cade of  citizens  on  horseback,  and  greeted  with  hearty  cheers.  You 
were  welcomed,  on  your  landing,  by  the  roar  of  cannon;  you  were 
speechified;  you  were  escorted,  by  the  Hampden  Guards,  Springfield 
Artillery,  and  the  Hampden  Grays,  to  the  Arsenal  Hill,  where  you 
were  again  saluted  with  salvoes  from  the  National  Armory;  you 
inspected  the  Arsenal,  on  invitation  from  its  superintendent;  you  were 
speechified  again ;  you  were  dined ;  you  were  lunched;  you  had  a  col- 
lation; you  were  again  twice  speechified;  and,  as  the  record  says, 
"The  reciprocity  of  feeling  exhibited  during  the  visit  can  not  be 
more  briefly  or  better  expressed,  than  by  quoting  a  sentiment  offered 
by  Judge  MORRIS,  in  the  Town  Hall :  '  The  flags  of  Connecticut  and 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


41 


Massachusetts:  together  they  will  wave  in  triumph,  or  together  they 
will  form  the  winding-sheet  of  the  brave.'  " 

Your  third  excursion  was  under  Major  JONATHAN  GOODWIN.  For- 
tunately he  is  here, — your  eldest  living  major,— in  green  and  vigorous 
age,— as  well  able  to  lead  your  battalion  to-day,  as  when  he  led 
it  through  Pearl  Street,  on  that  burning  13th  of  August,  1831.  He 
has  been  twice  your  major;  for  when,  in  1862,  all  the  young  men  of 
the  city  were  drawn  off  to  Southern  battle-fields,  he  came  forward 
and  contributed,  like  the  old  men  of  Rome,  "  to  man  your  walls." 
I  have  found  a  brief  description  of  this  excursion  in  a  contemporary 
newspaper.  I  adopt  it  with  the  more  pleasure,  because  it  is  from  the 
pen  of  MORDECAI  M.  NOAH,  a  famous  editor  of  that  day  and  gen- 
eration : — 

THE  ANCIENT  AND  HONORABLE. 

Our  citizens  were  gratified,  yesterday,  by  a  visit  from  a  detachment  of  the 
Governor's  Foot  Guard,  of  Connecticut,  under  command  of  Major  GOODWIN, 
which  arrived  at  Castle  Garden,  at  8  o'clock,  A.M.,  (in  the  steamboat  Victory 
from  Hartford),  when  they  were  saluted  with  thirteen  guns.     They  landed 
under  the  appropriate  tune  of  "Yankee  Doodle,"  and  could  literally  say- 
Father  and  I  went  down  from  camp 
Along  with  Major  Goodwin. 

They  were  received  by  a  battalion  of  our  citizen-soldiers,  composed  of  .six 
of  our  elite  infantry  companies,  under  the  command  of  Brigadier  General 
ALEXANDER  M.  Mum,  commissary-general  of  the  state,  to  whom  the  command 
was  voluntarily  entrusted  by  the  commandants  of  the  respective  companies. 

The  Guard  presented  to  most  of  our  population  a  novel  but  an  interesting 
sight.  An  evening  paper,  speaking  of  their  Continental  uniform,  says: 
"Their  scarlet  coats  have  the  antiquated  cut  and  the  peculiar  facings  of 
'  sixty  years  since ; '  their  breeched  and  gaitered  legs  looked  as  if  they  had 
just  marched  out  of  one  of  Colonel  TRUMBULI/S  battle-pieces;  and  their 
white  powdered  locks  (for  the  costume  is  preserved  throughout)  shone  from 
under  their  black  bearskin  caps,  as  if  dressed  by  a  regimental  perruquier 
of  Seventy-six." 

The  commandants  addressed  each  other  in  military  laconics  on  the  Castle 
bridge;  the  Guard  then  formed  on  the  Battery,  and  received  the  marching 
salute  from  General  MUIB'S  command,  which  compliment  was  returned; 
after  which  the  whole  returned  to  Castle  Garden,  to  partake  of  refreshments, 
handsomely  prepared  by  Mr.  MARSH,  the  proprietor. 

And  when  they  'cl  snatch'd  a  short  repast, 
And  buckled  on  their  arms  in  haste, 

the  two  corps  passed  in  review  before  General  MORTON'S  quarters,  whence 
they  marched  to  the  City  Hall,  where  they  were  received  by  the  Common 
Council,  and  again  partook  of  refreshments.  They  dined  at  Masonic  Hall, 
and  passed  the  evening  at  Niblo's  Garden.  The  marching  and  wheeling 
of  the  Guard  was  worthy  the  name  which  preceded  them:  they  moved  as  one 
man;  and  what  doubtless  not  a  little  assisted  them,  was  the  excellent  band  of 
musicians  which  accompanied  them.  The  Victory  was  gaily  dressed,  and  her 


42 


HISTORICAL  ADDRESS. 


commander  deserves  much  credit  for  the  punctuality  with  which  he  arrived 
at  the  point  of  debarkation.  The  Guard  returned  to  Hartford,  in  the  Victory, 
at  9  o'clock  this  morning. 

There  is  one  part  of  the  performance  which  is  not  narrated  by  Mr. 
NOAH.  Major  GOODWIN  had  carried  down  with  him  his  housings  and 
horse-equipments,  relying  upon  the  promise  of  the  New  York  com- 
mittee to  furnish  him  with  a  steed  for  the  parade.  And  they  did 
furnish  one;  but  it  was  an  "untamed  steed."  When  the  major 
mounted  him,  he  reared  and  kicked  up,  and  plunged  right  and  left, 
and  sprung  and  darted ;  but  Bucephalus  had  found  his  ALEXANDER, 
Cruiser  his  RAREY  :  the  horse  could  easier  get  rid  of  his  skin  than  of 
the  Yankee  major,  who  was  born  upon  a  horse.  After  practicing  his 
antics  for  about  ten  minutes,  he  proceeded  quietly  up  Pearl  Street,  as 
if  he  had  been  hired  for  that  purpose  solely,  and  not  to  land  on 
the  sward  of  the  Battery  the  commander  of  the  Guard. 

Your  fourth  excursion  was  to  Middletown,  on  July  4,  1838.  It 
was  under  Major  MILLER.  He  has  spared  me  the  task  of  narrating 
it;  for,  in  his  own  round  and  clerkly  hand,  he  has  spread  a  full 
account  of  it  upon  your  books.  He  deserves  this  commendation  at 
least,  that  to  his  example  it  is  due  that  your  records,  from  his  time, 
have  been  kept  with  commendable  fidelity. 

I  have  now  reached  a  period  within  the  memory  of  your  living 
majors,  and  am  warned,  by  considerations  too  numerous  to  mention, 
to  pause.  I  herewith  instruct  your  historian  of  1971  to  take  up  your 
history  at  the  very  point  where  I  leave  it;  and,  as  I  shall  be  prevented 
by  peremptory  engagements  from  being  present  on  that  occasion, 
I  send  him  down  the  century,  my  greetings  and  commiseration. 

I  can  not  speak  of  your  superb  turnout  in  honor  of  General 
JACKSON'S  visit  to  Hartford  (June  19,  1833),  under  the  presiding 
major  of  this  evening;  of  the  suppression  of  the  riot  (1834),  under 
Major  JAMES  G.  BOLLES,  who  was  firm  of  purpose,  but  not  indifferent 
to  the  spilling  of  human  gore;  of  your  parade  at  HARRISON'S  ftmeral, 
in  April,  1841,  under  Major  ELY,  —  a  boy  of  my  own  age,  young  as 
myself;  of  your  excursion  to  Windsor  (July  4,  1843),  under  Major 
SWEETSER,  similar  to  excursions  I  have  already  portrayed;  of  the 
brigade  review,  in  which  you  participated,  in  honor  of  Vice-President 
RICHARD  M.  JOHNSON;  of  the  delegation  you  sent  to  commit  to  the 
earth  that  old  hero  of  the  sea,  Commodore  ROGERS  ;  of  your  excur- 
sion to  New  Haven,  in  1857,  under  Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUR,  whose 
intelligent  face  I  am  happy  to  see,  furnishing  me  with  moral  support 
on  this  trying  occasion.  Neither  can  I  speak  of  the  hospitable  enter- 
tainments you  have  extended  to  visiting  companies,  as  of  the  Boston 


THE  BANQUET.  ^ 

City  Grays,  in  August,  1841,  and  of  the  National  Blues,  in  July,  1844 ; 
nor  of  your  style  of  drill,  your  movements,  your  armories,  standards, 
funerals,  target-shoots,  drill-uniforms,  &c. 

Thus,  veteran  Major,  as  I  have  attempted  to  show,  your  past 
is  filled  with  thrilling  incident.  Your  future  will  be  crowded  with 
events  which  surpass  the  imagination  of  man  to  conceive.  To  that 
Capitol  which  will  soon  rise  on  yonder  heights,  may  it  be  your  duty 
hereafter  to  conduct  many  magistrates,  who  will  leave  behind  them  a 
record  as  pure  and  unsullied  as  that  of  BUCKINGHAM,  and  HAWLEY, 
and  JEWELL.  In  descending  the  ages,  in  all  great  national  straits 
and  emergencies,  may  you  meet  with  men  as  worthy  of  your  un- 
bounded reverence  as  WASHINGTON  or  JACKSON.  If  called  upon  to 
pay  ceremonious  honors  to  foreign  dignitaries,  may  they  all  be  like 
LA  FAYETTE  and  ROCHAMBEAU, —  no  friends  of  a  nefarious  Com- 
mune, but  friends  of  liberty  regulated  by  law.  May  you  never  again 
be  called  upon  to  participate  in  a  peace  celebration,  for  may  the 
future  of  your  country  be  PERPETUAL  PEACE  ! 

At  the  close  of  Colonel  DEMIXG'S  address,  which  was 
heartily  applauded  at  intervals,  the  band  played  "Auld 
Lang  Syne." 

The  second  regular  toast  was  then  announced,  as  follows : 

The  State  of  Connecticut:  Proud  of  its  past  and  hopeful  of  its 
future:  not  a  state  when  the  Guard  had  its  origin,  and  dependent, 
like  all  free  communities,  on  the  spirit  which  animates  its  citizen- 
soldiery  for  its  continued  sovereignty. 

Governor  JEWELL,  who  was  received  with  warm  applause, 
responded  as  follows: — 

Mr.  Chairman,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot 

Guard, — 

The  intimate  relations  which  have  existed  between  the  Guard  and 
the  state  make  the  sentiment  to  which  I  am  called  upon  to  respond 
proper  and  fit  on  this  occasion.  The  state  is,  as  the  sentiment 
expresses,  proud  of  its  past  for  many  reasons;  not  the  least  of 
which  is  the  long  line  of  illustrious  men  who  have  occupied  the 
executive  chair,  and  of  the  line,  almost  equally  illustrious,  who  have 
been  connected  with  your  organization.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  speak 
of  them  in  detail,  following  so  closely  as  I  do  the  eloquent  and 
exhaustive  address  of  the  distinguished  orator  of  the  day.  If  some 


44  THE  BANQUET. 

of  the  governors  could  not  ride  a  horse  as  well  as  your  majors,  I  am 
certain  it  was  their  misfortune  rather  than  their  fault :  they  certainly 
performed  all  their  other  duties  to  the  satisfaction  of  their  constitu- 
ents and  to  the  honor  and  credit  of  the  state.  Their  deeds  have 
become  history;  and  they,  and  such  as  they,  have  made  our  state 
what  she  now  is,  —  one  of  the  foremost  in  all  the  characteristics 
of  national  greatness,  in  thrift,  in  loyalty,  in  intelligence,  and  in 
devotion  to  those  principles  of  truth  and  justice  upon  which  the 
republic  is  founded.  We  have  a  right  to  be  hopeful  of  the  future, 
judging  it  by  the  only  standard  by  which  the  future  can  be  judged, — 
by  the  past.  If  the  seeds  of  truth  and  justice  sown  in  the  past 
do  not  justify  the  expectation  that  the  future  of  our  state  will  be  as 
progressive  as  our  past  has  been  honorable,  then  history  must  reverse 
its  rules,  and  tares  be  reaped  where  wheat  has  been  sown.  The 
sentiment  also  says  that  the  Guard  is  older  than  the  state,  which 
is  perhaps  true.  The  only  consolation  to  my  mind  in  contemplating 
this  unpleasant  fact,  which  you  throw  so  pointedly  in  my  face,  is,  that 
the  state  has  grown  faster  than  the  Guard ;  that  we  are  larger  than 
you  are,  though  to-day  you  may  feel  otherwise.  It  is  also  true  that 
our  future,  both  as  a  state  and  as  a  nation,  is  largely  dependent  upon 
the  spirit  which  animates  its  people.  If  they  are  good  citizens  in 
time  of  peace,  they  will  be  good  soldiers  in  time  of  war,  and  to  this 
end  must  our  military  organizations  be  kept  up.  The  Guard  have  set 
a  good  example  in  this  regard.  Through  an  entire  century  have  you 
kept  up  your  organization,  always  ready  for  duty,  and  have  taken  an 
active  part  in  the  inauguration  of  most,  if  not  all,  the  governors  since 
the  days  of  JONATHAN  TRUMBULL.  You  have  always  been  considered 
the  guard  of  honor  to  the  govemor,  taking  direct  orders  from  him 
only,  and  have  endeared  yourselves  to  him  by  your  loyalty  to  him 
and  your  devotion  to  his  interests  and  those  of  the  state.  Your  zeal 
has  never  flagged;  your  energy  has  never  tired;  you  have  been  always 
ready  to  report  for  duty. 

On  this  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  your  organization,  being  the 
last  and  least  in  the  long  and  honorable  line  of  governors,  in  the 
name  of  my  predecessors  of  the  century,  and  in  the  name  of  the  state 
of  Connecticut,  in  whose  history  you  have  performed  so  important  a 
part,  I  thank  you  for  your  uniform  good  conduct  as  citizens  and 
soldiers.  I  believe  that  the  man  who  shall,  one  hundred  years  hence, 
at  your  bi-centennial  celebration,  stand  in  the  place  I  now  occupy, 
will  be  able  to  declare,  as  I  now  do,  that  the  First  Company  Govern- 
or's Foot  Guard  is  fully  up  to  the  traditions  of  its  ancestry,  than 
which  no  higher  praise  could  be  given. 


THE  BANQUET.  45 

The  third  regular  toast  was  then  announced,  as  follows : — 

The  Day  We  Celebrate:     Cheerful  retrospections,  cold  iron  and 
glittering  steel  on  the  home-duty  war-path. 

GEORGE  n.  CLARK,  Esq.,  responded  with  the  following 
poem,  which  was  received  with  great  favor : — 

I  was  sitting  one  night  gazing  up  at  the  stars, 
When,  thinking  of  Venus,  I  stumbled  on  Mars. 
What  a  fiery  red  eye!  what  a  truculent  phiz! 
The  rampant  old  fellow  looks  just  what  he  is. 

From  Mars  to  your  meeting  thought  easily  swings, 
Being  quite  in  the  natural  order  of  things; 
For  the  gossiping  papers  that  morning  had  told 
That  the  Guard  was  to-day  just  an  hundred  years  old: 

That  they  meant  to  foregather  and  have  a  good  time — 
When  of  course  the  occasion  would  call  for  a  rhyme ; 
And  I  thought  it  quite  likely  you  glorified  fellows 
Would  ask  for  a  wheeze  from  my  rythmical  bellows. 

The  very  next  morning  brought  proof  I  was  right, 
Being  met  by  a  good-looking,  merry-faced  wight, 
Who  assumed  that,  of  course,  he  might  enter  my  name 
For  the  dessert  that  follows  the  sirloin  and  game. 

This  was  cool — for  such  weather  as  that  of  last  week ; 
But  the  man  is  endowed  with  unlimited  "  cheek," 
And  his  quasi  command  was  so  jauntily  tendered, 
I  did  what  the  Guard  never  does,  —  I  surrendered ! 

And  I  shouldered  my  weapon,  —  the  all  mighty  pen, — 
Ink  charged  to  the  muzzle,  and  went  at  it  then; 
First  mounting  the  old  metaphorical  steed, 
Renowned  for  much  bottom  and  wind,  if  not  speed. 

When  poets  are  asked  to  respond  to  a  call, 
On  a  subject  of  which  they  know  nothing  at  all, 
You  perhaps  may  have  noticed  they  have  an  odd  way 
Of  acting  as  if  they  had  something  to  say. 

Your  orators  carry  a  smooth  bore,  and  know 
Exactly  where  every  greased  bullet  will  go; 
But  my  little  fowling-piece  blazes  at  game 
Without  any  specified  object  or  aim. 


4(5  THE  BANQUET. 

So  up  with  niy  aim  for  a  scattering  shot, 
Horse,  rider,  or  vermin,  —  it  matters  not  what : 
I  may  cripple  a  crow,  or  may  pepper  a  man, 
Or  perchance  raise  a  smile  by  a  flash  in  the  pan. 

In  the  days  of  my  youth  you  were  great  in  my  eyes, 
But  you  counted  me  out  on  account  of  my  size: 
Your  major,  so  grim,  only  shook  his  \\ise  head, — 
'T  was  Goliahs  they  wanted,  not  Davids,  he  said. 

It  is  not  the  last  time  I  have  been  infra  dig, 

Because  of  the  slender  display  of  my  rig; 

Though  that  bulwark  in  peace,  the  great  Putnam  Ph'lanx, 

Did  give  me  a  hiding-place  once  in  its  ranks. 

An  hundred  years  old !  and  yet  none  of  you  gray  — 
You  retain  your  good  looks  in  a  wonderful  way ! 
I  suppose  that,  like  snakes,  in  the  fall  you  go  in, 
And  come  out  in  the  spring  with  a  blessed  new  skin ! 

Yet  that  hardly  can  be  —  for  there  are  some  names 
From  your  muster-roll  dropped,  to  be  blazoned  on  Fame's: 
So  let  us  evoke  two  or  three  from  the  shade, 
And  see  of  what  stuff  the  old  fellows  were  made. 

As  to  one  of  your  majors,  the  grand  General  TEKRY, 
He  was  dignified  always,  in  grave  mood  or  merry; 
A  gentleman  born,  of  the  charming  old  school ; 
A  large-hearted  scholar,  and  molded  to  rule. 

Major  PUTNAM  was  built  on  a  modified  plan  — 
We  can  none  of  us  help  but  remember  the  man : 
A  Falstaff  in  figure,  a  Stentor  in  voice, 
On  Election  days  how  his  whole  soul  did  rejoice ! 

When  armed  cap-a-pie,  the  importance  he  felt 
Was  restrained  from  explosion  alone  by  his  belt : 
Hooped  in,  as  it  were,  by  the  buckle  and  leather, 
He  quailed  to  no  foe  but  bad  cooks  and  hot  weather. 

On  parade  his  brain  worked  like  a  bottle  of  yeast ; 

He  was  Mars  in  the  flesh  —  Alexander  at  least : 

Could  override  Ca3sar  —  Napoleon  the  First, — 

And  we  feared,  at  odd  times,  that  the  major  would  burst. 

There  was  JOHN  W.  BULL,  chin- stocked  in  stiff  leather, 
With  a  voice  that  his  namesake's  would  drown  altogether: 


THE  BANQUET.  47 

With  his  spine  so  erect,  and  his  head  in  the  air, 

And  those  words  of  command,  "  Eyes  right ! "  "  As  you  were ! " 

Not  the  least  of  the  notables  during  past  years, 
Was  that  wonderful  horse  called  the  Dey  of  Algiers; 
On  his  many  attractions  I  will  not  enlarge  — 
Your  surgeon  has  doubtless  that  matter  in  charge. 

When  I  told  you  at  starting  I  might  have  a  shy 
At  some  brute  of  a  horse,  I  had  Mm  in  my  eye ; 
For  the  steed  was  a  brave  one,  of  mettle  and  force, 
Though  STEDMAN  was  bolder  to  ride  such  a  horse. 

But  should  I  attempt  to  traverse  the  ground 
On  which  Colonel  DEMING  rare  picking  has  found, 
I  could  only  repeat  what  has  better  been  said, 
And  my  sugar  would  lapse  into  sugar  of  lead. 

Just  look  at  the  veterans  ranged  round  your  board  — 
With  events  full  of  mischief  and  fun  they  are  stored ; 
Should  they  tell  what  they  know,  I  am  truly  afraid 
That  Punch  and  Joe  Miller  would  droop  in  the  shade. 

How  many  old  governors  dawn  on  my  gaze, 

Who  're  indebted  to  you  for  the  length  of  their  days : 

Your  muskets  not  only  defended  from  foes, 

But  allowed  no  intruder  to  tread  on  their  toes. 

But  Election  days  now  are  not  what  they  were, 

With  the  solemn  square  pew,  and  the  stately  backed  chair 

Wherein,  in  great  state,  the  new  governor  sat, 

With  his  well-powdered  hair  and  his  three-cornered  hat. 

And  the  long-winded  sermon  Boanerges  would  preach  — 
What  a  lesson  to  kaisers  and  kings  it  did  teach  1 
And  the  question,  if  him  of  the  church  or  the  state 
Was  the  greater  that  day,  might  admit  of  debate. 

But  why  do  I  prate  in  this  cynical  way  ? 

I  believe  I  'm  a  hundred  —  and  fifty  —  to-day ; 

For  it 's  only  the  ancientest  codgers,  I  'in  told, 

Who  admit  that  there  's  anything  good  that 's  not  old. 

Ah  yes !  it  is  true  —  we  do  cling  to  first  loves, 
Though  time  should  change  all  our  old  eagles  to  doves : 
The  old  feeling  remains  —  and  still  waves  the  old  flag, 
And  the  drums  still  resound  to  the  old  "  double  drag." 


48  THE  BANQUET. 

The  old,  old  double  drag !  —  what  deep  music  is  in  it  — 
Its  jubilant  echoes  thrill  thro'  me  this  minute ! 
My  blood  may  be  tame,  but  it  leaps  in  fresh  glee 
At  the  sound  of  that  tune,  which  is  hallowed  to  me. 

Long  life  to  you,  Guardsmen  !  black-whiskered  or  gray  — 
There  's  work  yet  before  you,  and  so  there  is  play : 
May  you  live  to  enjoy  both  the  labor  and  fun, 
Till  your  grandsons  can  shoulder  each  grandpapa's  gun  ! 

The  fourth  regular  toast  was  then  announced,  as  follows : 

The  Veteran  Association  and  ex-Majors:  May  they  continue  vet- 
erans until  their  boys  are  fitted  by  age  to  fill  their  places. 

Major  WILLIAM  B.  ELY  responded: — 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen ;  to  you,  my  venerable  brother-members 
of  the  Veteran  Corps,  and  Offieers  and  Members  of  the  First 
Company  of  the  Governor's  Foot  Guard, — 

It  is  with  much  pleasure  I  am  permitted  to  greet  you  on  this  inter- 
esting and  glorious  anniversary  and  re-union,  to  revive  old  associations 
and  memories,  and  commemorate  the  past  history  and  events  of  this 
ancient  and  honorable  company  of  Foot  Guards.  I  am  asked  to  re- 
spond to  the  sentiment  just  read  in  your  hearing.  But  what  can  I 
say?  The  history  of  the  venerable  men  who  have  filled  the  ranks 
of  this  corps,  extend  far,  very  far,  back  into  the  past,  even  so  far  as 
the  time  when  Captain  MASON,  of  Pequot  renown,  commanded  the 
men  then  in  its  ranks.  That  eminent  historian,  Hon.  I.  W.  STUART, 
told  us,  at  one  of  our  festival  meetings,  that  the  Foot  Guard  was  the 
same  and  identical  corps  commanded  by  Captain  MASON.  No  autho- 
rity could  be  more  worthy  of  credit.  Long  versed  in  the  history 
of  our  beloved  commonwealth,  after  long  and  faithful  research,  Mr. 
STUABT  gave  it  as  his  firm  conviction  that  the  First  Company  of 
Guards  was  the  same  company,  under  a  new  organization,  that  was 
commanded  by  Captain  MASON  in  the  Pequot  war;  if  so,  the  brave 
Captain  WADSWORTH  was  once  its  captain.  If  I  were  to  leave  its 
glorious  history  just  here,  and  say  no  more,  especially  after  the  able 
and  eloquent  history  to  which  you  have  just  listened,  it  would  be 
sufficient  and  complete ;  having  in  its  ranks  such  men  as  MASON  and 
WADSWOUTH,  its  history  is  enough.  Tell  me,  ye  brother-members  of 
this  ancient  and  venerable  company,  what  more  could  you  ask  of  its 
courage  and  renown?  Think  of  it,  fellow-veterans,  and  say  what 


T1TE  BAyQUEf.  49 

think  you  ot  our  organization  as  represented  here  this  evening,  — tell 
me,  when  you  bring  to  your  remembrance  not  only  Captain  MASON 
among  its  past  captains,  but  also  the  intrepid  .and  brave  Captain 
WADSWORTII,  before  whom  the  imperious  petty  tyrant  FLETCHER 
quailed,  —  tell  me  if  it  is  not  doing  enough.  But,  leaving  the  days 
of  yore,  and  passing  down  to  more  modern  times,  as  I  cast  my 
thoughts  back  on  the  past,  and  call  to  remembrance  the  many  stirring 
and  thrilling  incidents  and  associations  connected  with  the  venerable 
members  of  this  ancient  company,  it  seems  as  if  I  knew  not  where  to 
begin  nor  where  to  end.  The  events  and  scenes  of  my  childhood, 
with  my  active  participation  in  the  various  and  happy  occasions  with 
which  it  lias  been  my  pleasure  to  be  associated  in  connection  with  this 
organization,  so  crowd  upon  my  mind  and  memory,  that  I  hardly 
know  what  to  say.  Our  honorable  friend  and  orator  has  given  you 
so  full  and  complete  a  history  of  its  past  glory  and  officers,  that 
it  can  not  be  expected  that  I  should  add  much,  if  anything,  to  it. 
I  well  remember  many  of  the  eminent  men  who  composed  its  active 
members  in  the  past,  even  to  its  first  captain  under  its  present 
charter,  Captain  S.  WYLLYS,  whose  remains  I  saw  borne  to  their 
last  resting-place,  in  funeral  procession,  by  the  Guard,  then  under  the 
command  of  Major  OLMSTED.  Venerable  men  they  were,  indeed ;  it 
seemed  to  me  there  were  giants  in  those  days.  I  see  them  now,  as 
they  pass  by  the  visions  of  my  memory,  with  their  tall,  stately  forms 
and  commanding  presence,  every  one  of  them  n't  for  kings  and  noble- 
men, with  their  powdered  hair,  ruffled  shirts  and  cuffs,  broad-skirted 
coats  and  lappels,  knee  breeches  and  buckles,  silk  stockings  and 
buckled  shoes  or  white-top  boots,  with  long  gold-headed  canes,  as 
they  passed  into  the  old  Center  Church  and  stood  so  reverently 
during  divine  worship.  Those  were  the  men  that  filled  the  ranks 
and  composed  the  officers  of  this  venerable  corps:  there  were  Captain 
ROOT  and  Major  TERRY,  Majors  BULL,  GOODWIN,  OLMSTED,  PUTNAM, 
STEDMAN,  BOLLES,  MILLER,  SWEETSER,  and  RANSOM,  —  all  men  of 
credit  and  renown,  now  all  gone.  But  I  can  not  allow  this  occasion 
to  pass  without  saying  a  word  in  memory  of  that  gallant  Major  E.  B. 
STKDMAX,  whom  some  of  us  remember.  Of  all  the  ex-officers,  it  may 
Avell  be  said  of  him  jn'-innts  inter  pares.  Tall,  slender,  and  straight  as 
an  arrow,  mounted  on  a  magnificent  horse  which  he  rode  like  a 
knight,  a  new  and  splendid  uniform  well  fitting  his  perfect  form, 
surely  no  potentate  or  emperor,  with  his  golden  helmet  or  flowing 
plume,  ever  sat  a  horse  so  grandly  or  received  the  admiration  of  the 
multitude,  as  Major  E.  B.  STEDMAN  did  when  in  command  of  the  old 
Guard  on  Election  day.  Ho  was  proud  of  the  Guard,  and  they 
of  him.  Let  me  drop  a  word  to  remind  you  of  others  of  our  past 


50  THE  BANQUET. 

majors,  now  gone  from  us,  whose  memory  we  revere.  There  was 
Major  JAMES  G.  BOLLES,  a  polished,  kind,  and  gentlemanly  major, 
who  prided  himself  in  Laving  every  thing  in  perfect  order.  If  you 
wanted  a  finished,  scholarly  speech,  you  would  get  it  from  him  when- 
ever the  honor  of  the  Guard  required  it.  Major  II.  L.  MILLER  was  a 
large,  handsome  man,  of  great  determination  and  self-will,  maintain- 
ing the  dignity  of  his  office  in  rather  an  overbearing  way,  but  withal 
having  an  ardent  attachment  to  the  Guard,  which  he  continued  to  hold 
so  long  as  he  lived.  Few  of  the  ex-majors  watched  over  or  guarded 
their  interests  with  more  affection  than  Major  MILLER.  Major  H.  P. 
SWEETSEU  was  a  stout,  thick-set  man,  much  attached  to  the  company, 
and  was  always  ready  to  do  all  in  his  power  to  promote  its  pros- 
perity and  glory.  The  next  and  last  of  the  lamented  ex-majors  was 
Major  HENRY  C.  RANSOM, — of  fine  personal  appearance,  a  nervous, 
quick,  and  fine  officer,  much  attached  to  his  men  and  they  to  him, — 
his  memory  will  ever  remain  permanent  and  fresh  with  those  whom 
he  commanded. 

I  tell  you  these  men  loved  the  old  Guard.  So  have  I  seen  them 
standing  on  the  walks  while  the  battalion  paraded  in  the  streets, 
gazing  through  their  large  glasses;  so  have  I  noticed  the  moistened 
eye  as  they  raised  the  hand  to  wipe  away  the  falling  tear,  methinks, 
as  they  thought  of  the  scenes  of  their  young  manhood,  when  they 
commanded  and  stood  in  the  ranks  of  their  much-beloved  battalion. 
I  could  tell  you  of  our  senior  living  ex-major,  JONATHAN  GOODWIN, 
whom  the  Gothamites  thought  to  dismount  at  Castle  Garden,  but 
were  destined  to  disappointment;  of  the  positive,  dignified  ex-Major 
CALVIN  DAY,  who  guarded  and  defended  the  honor  and  prestige 
of  the  battalion  to  the  last  extremity, — you  know  how  much  he 
thinks  of  you.  Following  Major  DAY  was  proud,  slender,  and 
straight  Major  HENRY  OAKES,  smart,  active,  and  a  good  soldier. 
What  shall  I  say  of  that  generous  younger  Major  GRIFFIN  A.  STED- 
MAN,  whom  we  all  love  and  admire,  the  very  counterpart  of  his 
brother,  Major  E.  B.  when  mounted  and  riding  like  a  prince  the 
famous  stallion  Dey  of  Algiers;  of  Major  MATHER,  tall  and  slender, 
who  took  so  much  interest  in  the  company,  and  under  whose  command 
a  new  standard  was  presented  to  the  battalion  by  our  late  venerable 
ex-Major  TERRY,  in  a  beautiful  speech,  which,  coming  from  so  elderly 
and  venerable  a  man,  made  a  deep  and  lasting  impression  on  the  men, 
of  the  glory  of  the  corps  and  the  veneration  and  esteem  attached  to 
it.  Next,  Major  AVERILL,  full  of  love  to  his  command,  with  his 
heart  and  hand  ever  open  in  their  behalf,  and  never  so  happy  as 
when,  either  off  or  on  duty,  he  could  gather  around  him  the  officers 
and  men  in  social  chat  and  fun.  Major  BACON,  of  fine  personal 


TI1K  BANQUET.  g-j 

appearance,  whose  merit  consisted  more  in  deeds  than  words.  Major 
WILLIAM  COXXER,  too,  of  equally  fine  person,  always  ready,  and 
is  now,  as  he  ever  has  been,  ready  and  happy  to  sustain  the  renown  of 
the  old  corps.  Next  comes  Major  LEVERETT  SEYMOUR,  —  what  could 
we  do  without  him?  You  know  how  long  and  faithfully  he  sustained 
the  Guard,  bearing  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day  in  some  of  its 
most  trying  times,  and  how  successfully  he  carried  them  through 
a  time  of  difficulty  and  doubt.  And  then  our  modest  ex-Major  L.  E. 
HUNT,  who  long  and  nobly  held  up  and  stayed  the  hands  of  Major 
SEYMOUR,  and  is  now  the  industrious  and  indefatigable  secretary 
of  our  venerable  corps.  Major  BARTON,  the  last  of  our  ex-majors,— 
his  praise  is  in  the  company,  —  like  most  of  our  ex  officers,  he  was 
portly,  and  grand  in  command.  I  have  thus  passed  over  your  list  of 
ex-majors,  and  could  tell  you  much  more  in  their  praise;  but  I  have 
said  enough :  they  are  all  here,  except  Majors  OAKES  and  AVERILL, 
and  they  must  speak  for  themselves.  You  know  them  all,  and  the 
love  and  veneration  with  which  they  look  upon  their  old  company 
and  its  members. 

I  now  turn  to  you,  Major  DODD  and  officers  and  members  of  the 
Guard :  You  see  what  a  rich  legacy  is  committed  to  your  hands. 
Cherish  it  as  you  would  "  the  apple  of  thine  eye;''  see  to  it  that 
its  courage  and  renown  are  not  tarnished  in  your  keeping;  see  to 
it  that  its  dignity  is  not  compromised.  We  leave  it  with  you.  Soon 
will  the  ex-members  be  numbered  with  the  glorious  past.  Woe  be  to 
you,  if  you  fail  to  pass  it  down  unimpaired  to  your  successors,  —  they 
to  theirs;  and  when,  in  1971,  we  shall  all  be  gone,  may  its  memory  be 
as  fragrant,  its  history  more  glorious,  as  our  descendants  rally  again,  to 
rehearse  its  history,  tell  of  the  days  of  the  past,  and  look  forward  to 
its  future  with  as  much  pleasure  as  we  do  now.  And,  so  long  as  our 
beloved  commonwealth  shall  remain,  —  aye,  until  time  shall  be  no 
more,  —  may  its  existence  be  perpetuated! 

The  fifth  regular  toast  was — 

The  First  Company  Governor's  Guard :  May  they  ever  remain 
hereafter,  as  they  have  been  heretofore,  the  models  of  a  citizen- 
soldiery. 

Lieutenant  JOHN  C.  PARSONS  responded: — 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gent'.emen, — 

I  am  reminded  of  the  story  of  Mary  try  Fleming,  her  difficulties 
with  the  multiplication-table,  and  her  anathemas  on  "seven  times 


52  THE  BANQUET. 

nine ;  "  but,  worse  than  all  the  crosses  of  the  multiplication-table  or 
the  vexations  of  school  and  childhood,  is  it  to  be  called  to  respond  on 
such  an  occasion  as  this  to  a  gracious  and  flattering  sentiment, 
when  one's  voice  is  lost  from  unaccustomed  shouting.  I  can  say 
no  more,  —  I  could  say  no  less,  —  than  to  thank  you  most  heartily  for 
your  kind  wishes  in  behalf  of  the  Foot  Guard,  and  to  promise  that 
we  will  do  our  best  to  uphold  the  banner,  and  to  keep  unsullied  the 
records,  which  have  come  down  to  us,  through  these  long  years,  from 
such  worthy  and  honored  hands,  without  stain  or  blemish. 

You  know,  Sir,  something  of  the  difficulty  of  preserving  the  spirit 
and  efficiency  of  a  military  company  in  these  exacting  times  of  peace. 
Hardly  any  citizen  of  Connecticut,  I  imagine,  however  little  interested 
he  may  be  in  ordinary  parades,  can  turn  his  eyes  from  this  old  uniform 
when  it  passes  in  array  with  stirring  music  along  the  streets;  but  few 
know  what  care  and  diligence  is  required  of  officers  and  men,  by  day 
and  night,  to  keep  our  ranks  fairly  full  and  our  discipline  reasonably 
effective.  Yet  we  make  no  complaint,  for  this  task  ought  to  be  com- 
paratively easy  for  us  who  have  the  traditions  of  a  century  behind  us, 
and  with  us  the  aid  and  sympathy  of  so  many  old  friends,  and  such 
appreciation  as  has  been  shown  so  cordially  and  universally  to-day. 

The  Guard  assisted  this  morning  at  a  very  interesting  ceremony. 
A  scion  of  the  old  Charter  Oak  was  planted  in  the  City  Park, 
and  each  member  of  our  companies  gave  a  helping  hand  in  covering 
and  supporting  its  roots.  And  we  hope  it  may  so  thrive,  that  the 
Foot  Guard  shall  celebrate  under  its  branches  their  second  centennial 
anniversary,  and  that  it  may  remain  another  link  in  the  chain  which 
carries  us  back  to  old  colonial  days.  This  would  suggest  matter  for 
much  sentiment  and  moralizing,  if  I  had  voice  and  you  patience.  We 
boast,  justly  as  we  think,  of  our  hundred  years;  and  yet  this  young 
tree  has  a  known  and  immediate  ancestry  which  altogether  dwarfs 
ours.  The  Charter  Oak  was  old  and  long  past  its  prime  when  the 
white  man  first  saw  it.  A  century  was  a  small  part  of  its  existence. 
Yet  we  can  remember  the  time  when  the  tree  seemed  likely  to  outlive 
the  Foot  Guard.  Whether  our  organization  shall  have  cause  to  live, 
and  shall  be  able  to  live,  till  we  rival  the  age  of  the  old  tree  or  not,  I 
am  sure  we  shall  be  satisfied  to  resemble  the  Charter  Oak  in  its 
vigorous  and  honored  maturity  and  its  not  inglorious  fall. 

The  sixth  regular  toast  was — 

The  Second  Company  Governor's  Guard :  Worthy  representatives 
of  the  "  City  of  Elms,"  and  worthy  companions-in-arms  of  the  com- 
pany whose  centennial  anniversary  they  assist  in  celebrating. 


THE  BANQUET.  -^ 

Captain  PHILE  briefly  responded,  and  said  he  hoped  to 
meet  the  First  Company  in  New  Haven,  in  1875,  on  the 
occasion  of  their  centennial. 

The  seventh  regular  toast  was — 

The  First  and  Second  Companies  Governor's  Horse  Guard:  With- 
out whose  services  Election  day  would  be  shorn  of  half  its  glory. 

Major  BOARDMAX,  of  the  First  Company,  acknowledged 
the  compliment, 

The  eighth  regular  toast  was — 

The  ex  Governors  and  Commanders-in-Chief :  Their  honors,  though 
past  the  meridian,  yet  grow  larger  and  more  golden,  like  the  sun 
at  his  setting. 

Governor  BUCKINGHAM  responded.     He  said: — 

Mr.  Chairman,-  I  am.  here  unexpectedly.  I  knew  there  was  to  be 
such  a  celebration,  but  knew  not  the  time  at  which  it  would  be  held, 
until  after  I  had  promised  to  be  present  at  the  opening  of  the 
European  and  North  American  Railway.  I  was  then  under  the 
necessity  of  declining  your  invitation.  But  I  have  read  of  one  who 
said  he  would  not  go,  and  afterwards  repented  and  went.  I  found 
that,  by  leaving  Portland  at  9  o'clock  last  night,  I  could  reach  here  in 
time  to  participate  in  your  celebration ;  and  I  came  for  two  reasons  : 
first,  I  wanted  to  be  here,  and,  second,  I  knew  that  you  wanted  to  see 
me.  And  now  I  desire  to  express  my  personal  obligations  to  each 
company  of  the  Guard  for  courtesies  uniformly  extended  to  me  while 
I  was  chief-magistrate  of  the  state.  Your  annual  parades  have  been 
of  great  public  benefit,  by  giving  dignity  to  the  office  of  governor 
and  to  the  government  of  which  he  is  the  representative.  We  are  in 
great  danger  of  entertaining  a  low  estimate  of  the  value  of  law  and 
government ;  but  the  tens  of  thousands  who  have  crowded  your  side- 
walks, and  filled  your  balconies  and  windows,  to  witness  your  parade 
on  days  of  inauguration,  have  gone  to  their  several  homes  more 
deeply  impressed  than  before  with  the  worth  and  value  of  the  govern- 
ment as  a  power  to  preserve  order  and  the  public  peace.  This 
important  lesson  should  be  appreciated  by  the  people. 

I  congratulate  you,  the  First  Company  of  the  Guard,  that  you 
have  reached  your  one  hundredth  birth-day,  and  that  upon  your 
record  there  is  no  stain.  What  man,  fifty  years  of  age,  could  stand  up 
and  not  wish  to  forget  some  portions  of  his  life  ?  But  you  may  be 


54  THE  BANQUET.' 

proud  in  the  remembrance  of  every  day  of  your  organization.  Your 
members  have  been  patriotic,  public-spirited  men,  of  high  character, 
and  your  roll  presents  a  long  list  of  honorable  names.  May  it  be  con- 
tinued many  centuries ! 

But  it  is  sometimes  asked  if  you  have  rendered  the  state  any 
special  service,  and  your  orator  expressed  the  wish  that,  at  the  time 
of  the  rebel  invasion  into  Pennsylvania,  you  had  tendered  your 
services  to  the  government.  The  honorable  gentleman  was  himself 
in  the  field,  giving  his  best  energies  to  maintain  the  national  govern- 
ment, and  knew  not  the.  critical  condition  of  the  state.  In  our 
metropolitan  city,  law  and  order  had  fled  before  a  mob,  and  given 
place  to  anarchy.  A  spirit  of  discontent  and  insubordination  was 
manifest  in  various  parts  of  the  state,  which  imperiled  our  peace  and 
security.  Few  knew  the  alarming  and  critical  condition  of  public 
affairs,  or  were  able  to  appreciate  the  greatness  of  our  danger.  Your 
services  were  required  here,  and  your  chief-magistrate  regarded  you 
as  an  organization  by  which  public  order  could  be  maintained. 

About  that  time,  a  judge  of  our  Superior  Court  had  a  case  of 
great  importance  before  him,  and  he  called  on  the  governor  and 
inquired  whether,  if  he  made  a  particular  decision,  his  decree  could 
be  enforced.  "  Certainly  it  can,"  was  the  reply ;  "  there  is  the  Gov- 
ernor's Guard  upon  which  I  can  rely  in  any  emergency." 

I  have  been  recently  sent  to  a  school  where  at  times  little  attention 
has  been  given  to  the  question  presented  for  consideration ;  and, 
taking  advantage  of  such  an  example,  I  will  say  but  a  word  in  refer- 
ence to  the  sentiment  to  which  I  am  called  upon  to  respond.  It 
speaks  of  ex-governors  growing  larger.  I  believe  this  is  true,  and 
acknowledge  it ;  for  I  find  that  I  am  more  in  avoirdupois  than  when 
I  was  governor.  But  I  must  dissent  from  one  expression  in  the 
proposed  toast.  I  do  this  in  good  temper.  I  am  not  angry  about  it. 
It  speaks  of  your  ex-governors  being  past  meridian.  I  do  not  believe 
it.  I  deny  it,  and  declare  that  an  ex-governor  is  in  his  prime  at  sixty- 
seven. 

The  ninth  regular  toast  was — 

The  Putnam  Phalanx :  By  its  name,  its  drill,  its  uniform,  and  its 
customs,  honoring  the  men  and  the  deeds  of  an  hundred  years  ago, 
may  its  lessons  be  heeded ;  may  the  Phalanx  meet  the  Foot  Guard  an 
hundred  years  hence  in  a  state  and  a  nation  worth  living  and  worth 
dying  for. 


THE  BANQUET.  55 

Ex-Governor  HAWLEY,  in  response,  made  grateful  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  compliment  to  the  Phalanx. 

That  eminent  body  did  not  profess  to  seek  the  glories  of  war. 
When  its  one  hundred  and  fifty  stalwart  men  were  seen  in  battle- 
array,  it  was  known  that  one  hundred  and  fifty  citizens  had  left  pur- 
suits that  pay,  and  devoted  a  day  to  work  that  does  not  pay,  as 
the  world  interprets  the  word.  Whoever  hears  the  stirring  roll  of 
their  old-fashioned  drum-music,  or  sees  their  sturdy  ranks,  or  even 
reads  that  the  Putnam  Phalanx  is  out,  knows  that  one  hundred  and 
fifty  good  men  have  assumed  the  dress  of  war  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  the  illustrious  citizen-soldier  ISRAEL  PUTNAM.  I  hope, 
indeed  we  believe,  that  the  soul  of  the  brave  old  man  moves  among 
us,  conscious  that  republics  are  not  ungrateful,  whatever  he  may  have 
thought  during  his  last  days  on  earth.  This  honor  to  patriotism  is 
work  worth  doing.  Whoever  notes  the  picturesque  uniform  of  the 
Phalanx,  and  asks  what  this  means,  is  told  "  that  is  the  garb  that 
WASHINGTON  wore  at  the  head  of  the  armies  of  the  Revolution." 
And  to  bring  him  again  to  the  memories  of  the  rising  generation,  is  a 
work  worth  doing.  Again :  whatever  boy  or  girl  inquires  concerning 
that  unusual  manual  and  tactics,  is  told  that  such  was  the  drill  taught 
the  soldiers  of  the  Revolution  by  that  gallant  old  German  soldier  and 
lover  of  liberty,  Baron  STEUBEN.  To  make  sure  that  none  of  this  is 
forgotten,  is  surely  work  that  pays.  Colonel  DEMING  alludes  to 
somebody's  charge  that  the  men  of  Connecticut  are  parsimonious. 
None  better  than  he  or  Mr.  TRUMBULL  are  better  qualified  to  show 
from  history,  that,  while  Connecticut's  sons  have  known  how  to  earn 
and  to  save,  they  have  of  their  abundance  given  their  full  share,  not 
alone  in  blood  when  duty  demanded,  but  in  treasure  always,  by  free 
private  gifts  to  all  good  causes,  and  in  generous  taxation  for  their 
country's  needs.  Some  have  thought  us  a  people  wholly  given  to  the 
arts  of  peace.  Yet,  from  MASON,  hero  of  the  Pequot  war,  to  PUTNAM 
and  to  LYON,  MANSFIELD,  SEDGWICK,  and  our  own  STEDMAN  on  land, 
and  McDoNouoir,  HULL,  WARD,  and  FOOTE  on  water,  Connecticut 
men  have  been  in  the  fore-front  wherever  duty  called.  Sixth  or 
seventh -of  the  old  thirteen  in  population,  Connecticut  was  second 
only  to  Massachusetts  in  the  number  of  men  she  gave  to. the  great 
Revolution.  Nor  have  her  people  lacked  sentiment.  Wherever,  on 
land  or  sea,  the  highest  chivalric  devotion  was  needed,  Connecticut 
men  were  ready  for  the  sacrifice.  The  Phalanx  makes  no  pretense 
of  being  useful,  unless  it  be  useful  to  revere  patriotism;  to  keep 
forever  green  the  memories  of  the  patriotic  dead;  to  remind  the 
young  by  what  sacrifices  our  liberties  were  won;  and  to  teach,  by 


56  THE  BANQUET. 

example,  that  the  name  and  the  duties  of  the  citizen  soldier  are 
honorable.  I  do  not  doubt  that  all  "  this  pays  well."  We  thank 
you  for  your  courteous  recognitions;  we  concur  in  every  word  of 
praise  given  the  Foot  Guard,  every  generous  wish  for  its  continued 
prosperity;  and  we  cordially  echo  the  hope  of  your  toast,  that  "the 
Guard  and  the  Phalanx  may  meet  an  hundred  years  hence,  in  a  state 
and  a  nation  worth  living  and  worth  dying  for.1' 

The  tenth  regular  toast  was — 

The  City  of  New  Haven :  Distinguished  as  a  seat  of  learning  and 
for  her  diversified  industries  and  enterprise. 

Ex-Mayor  L.  W.  SPP:RRY  was  expected  to  respond,  but 
was  not  present. 

The  eleventh  regular  toast  was — 

The  City  of  Hartford  :  May  it  ever  deserve  its  motto.  Post  Nubila 
PJicebus. 

Dr.  and  Alderman  J.  W.  JOHNSON  responded  in  behalf 
of  the  mayor,  who  was  unavoidably  absent.  He  said:  — 

Mr.  President,  —  In  behalf  of  the  municipal  government  of  Hart- 
ford, and  representing  the  city,  I  am  proud  to  respond  to  the  sentiment 
offered ;  and  gratefully,  in  behalf  of  the  city,  acknowledge  the  com- 
pliment. Hartford,  settled  in  1635,  and  incorporated  as  a  city  in 
1784,  has,  in  its  growth  and  material  prosperity,  fully  kept  pace  with 
other  cities,  especially  in  New  England.  Her  growth  and  increase 
has  been  normal  and  permanent  in  its  character.  Hartford  has  ever 
encouraged  and  sustained  her  various  educational,  charitable,  and 
humanitarian  institutions,  of  which  she  has  just  reason  to  be  proud. 
She  has  also,  in  times  past,  given  liberal  encouragement  and  counte- 
nance to  the  various  military  organizations  which  have  existed  in  the 
past,  as  well  as  the  present,  and  no  one  has  ever  been  regarded  with 
greater  favor  than  the  time-honored  corps  whose  centennial  we  this 
day  celebrate.  Organized  one  hundred  years  ago,  by  citizens  of 
Hartford,  and  ever  encouraged  and  sustained  with  a  fostering  care, 
she  justly  feels  proud  of  the  organization  to-day.  A  retrospective 
glance  to  1771,  the  date  of  the  formation  of  the  gallant  corps  whose 
honored  guests  we  are  this  days  would,  I  opine,  show  a  vast  contrast 
with  Hartford  of  to-day,  in  material  interest  and  prosperity.  Mr. 
President,  with  the  deserve/!  reputation  and  prestige  of  success  of  this 
ancient  and  honorable  oorp?»j  may  we  not  reasonably  expect  that,  in 


THE  BANQUET.  57 

1971,  -when  all  who  arc  now  present  will  have  been  gathered  to  their 
fathers,  a  bi-centennial  anniversary  similar  to  this,  only  (if  possible) 
on  a  grander  and  more  magnificent  scale,  will  be  enacted  and  partici- 
pated in  by  a  population  of  two  hundred  thousand,  or,  perhaps,  even 
greater  numbers  ? 

In  conclusion,  we  believe  that  Hartford  will  ever  extend  her  sym- 
pathies and  aid  for  the  prosperity  and  perpetuity  of  the  ancient  and 
honored  corps  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard;  and, 
sir,  while  her  motto  —  Post  Nulila  Phabus — stands  forth  engraven  on 
her  seal  and  emblazoned  on  her  banner,  we  trust  she  will  ever  be 
deserving  of  it.  And,  though  gloom  and  clouds  may  occasionally 
darken  her  skies  and  temporarily  depress  her  energies  (as  instanced 
by  the  late  disastrous  calamity,  the  Chicago  fire),  still  we  trust  she 
will  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past,  rise  phojiiix-like  from  her  ashes,  and 
bask  in  the  sunshine  of  prosperity. 

The  twelfth  regular  toast  was — 

The  City  Guard:  Eminent  for  discipline  and  military  bearing: 
may  they  ever  have  a  city  to  guard  worthy  of  such  soldiers. 

Judge- Advocate  J.  L.  BARBOUR  responded  as  follows: — 

Mr.  President  and  Gentlemen, — 

In  rising,  on  behalf  of  the  City  Guard,  to  make  brief  response  to 
the  sentiment  which  has  just  been  uttered,  I  am  tempted  to  use 
us  the  most  fitting  phrase  that  can  pass  my  lips,  the  words  of  Othello 
to  the  Venetian  senate,  and  address  you  as  "  Most  potent,  grave,  and 
reverend  seigniors."  I  remember  that  the  organization  which  you 
represent  turns  its  time-silvered  head,  and  looks  back  over  a  century 
of  slow-gathered  years,  while  for  us  a  brief  decade  suffices  to  measure 
our  existence.  And,  remembering  this  disparity  of  years,  I  stand 
abashed  when  I  call  to  mind  that  favorite  adage  of  our  grandmothers, 
that  "  Children  should  be  seen  and  not  heard,"  and  am  encouraged 
to  proceed  only  when  I  recollect  that  we  have  been  summoned  to 
respond,  and  that,  by  the  code  of  manners  of  those  same  excellent 
grandmothers,  "  Children  should  speak  when  they  are  spoken  to." 

"We  number  our  years,  sir,  as  I  have  said,  in  a  single  decade, 
and  are  yet  in  the  freshness  of  boyhood.  And  yet  our  record,  in 
those  ten  years,  has  been  an  eventful  and,  we  trust,  an  honorable  one. 
I  shall  not  presume,  at  this  time,  gathered  as  we  are  to  celebrate  your 
most  memorable  anniversary,  to  make  more  than  a  passing  allusion 
to  our  history.  As  your  organization  was  formed  just  previous  to 
8 


5g  THE  is.\X(jn-:T. 

the  war  which  established  the  existence  of  the  nation,  so  we  sprang 
into  being  upon  the  eve  of  the  contest  that  preserved  that  existence. 
As  you  gave  from  your  ranks  to  the  colonial  forces,  so  we  gave  from 
ours  to  the  armies  of  the  republic.  From  the  City  Guard,  I  am  proud 
to  say,  went  forth  the  first  company  of  the  first  regiment  of  the  state 
that  enlisted  "  for  three  years  or  during  the  war;  "  and  in  every  regi- 
ment of  the  commonwealth,  in  every  branch  of  the  service,  our 
representatives  were  to  be  found.  Were  our  boys  good  soldiers  ? 
Let  the  fact  that  no  less  than  sixty  of  them  held  commissions, 
ranging  from  lieutenant  to  major-general,  answer.  Were  they  true 
patriots?  Let  the  graves  of  LEE,  and  NILES,  and  COFFIN,  and 
WELD,  and  METCALF,  and  TENNANT,  and  CAMP,  "  the  knightly 
soldier,"  make  silent  but  eloquent  response.  And  for  those  of  the 
Guard  who  remained  at  home,  and  were  organized  as  Company  A  of 
the  first  regiment  of  state  militia,  let  me  ask  respectful  consideration ; 
for  they  were  ever  ready  to  respond  to  the  call  of  duty.  They 
furnished  a  vigilant  and  jovial  company  to  guard  the  yellow  serenity 
of  the  State  Arsenal;  they  dared  to  set  at  naught  the  dictates  of 
fashion  and  the  customs  of  polite  society,  and  startle  decorous 
Hartford  with  a  uniform  of  peaceful  azure  jackets  and  flaming 
scarlet  pants ;  they  paraded  gladly  often  to  welcome  home  returning 
braves,  and  sadly  to  escort  the  body  of  some  dead  hero  to  the  tomb ; 
and,  when  their  legal  organization  expired  with  the  law  which  gave 
it  birth,  they  gave  their  best  men  to  the  new  company,  —  Battery  D  of 
the  Connecticut  National  Guard.  Under  this  title,  we  have  "  done 
the  state  some  service,"  on  the  crowded  street  at  Inauguration  pa- 
rades, on  the  tented  field  at  encampments.  We  have  dared  to  attack 
the  bivalves  of  Rhode  Island,  and  disdained  not  an  inroad  upon  the 
vineyard  groves  of  the  Massachusetts  islands.  We  have  endured  the 
homeliness  of  monkey-jackets  and  pants  of  the  meal-bag  pattern,  and 
now,  as  Company  F  of  the  First  Regiment,  we  look  hopefully  forward 
to  gorgeous  trappings  and  continued  prosperity.  Through  all  our 
history,  let  me  say,  sir,  wre  have  entertained  toward  the  First  Company 
of  Governor's  Foot  Guard  friendly  sentiments,  and  to-night,  on  the 
occasion  of  its  centennial  anniversary,  we  express  the  hope  that  that 
friendship  may  ever  continue,  accompanied,  too,  by  that  generous 
rivalry  that  goes  hand  in  hand  with  progress.  And  to-night,  as  the 
bashful  young  man  somewhat  inappropriately  observed  to  the  bride 
on  her  wedding-day,  we  "  wish  you  many  happy  returns  of  this  auspi- 
cious occasion." 

You  have  chosen,  sir,  in  the  sentiment  which  you  have  uttered,  to 
compliment  us,  to  commend  us  for  our  military  excellence,  and  to 
express  the  flattering  wish  that  we  "  may  ever  have  a  city  to  guard 


HIE  BANWKT.  50 

worthy  of  such  soldiers."  The  words  of  praise  we  gratefully  acknowl- 
edge, with  blushing  cheeks  and  eyes  cast  down,  as  becomes  our 
native  modesty.  Remembering  the  dire  calamity  that  has  so  recently 
swept  away  one  of  our  great  commercial  centers  [Chicago],  we  join 
with  you  in  the  hope  that  we  may  ever  have  this  our  city  to  guard. 
And,  at  the  same  time,  with  warmest  love  for  and  pride  in  our  dear 
old  Hartford,  famous  for  its  beautiful  residences,  its  thrifty  energy,  its 
enterprise,  its  public  spirit,  its  time-honored  associations,  its  fail- 
daughters,  and  its  business  honor,  we  beg  leave  to  reverse  the  words 
of  the  sentiment,  and  with  honest  aspiration  cry,  "  May  we  ever  be 
soldiers  worthy  to  guard  such  a  city." 

The  thirteenth  regular  toast  was — 

The  Buckingham  Rifles  and  Hillyer  Guard :  Equal  to  all  emergen- 
cies. May  their  prosperity  be  equal  to  their  deserts. 

Captain  JOSEPH  H.  BARXUM  was  called  upon,  but  was  not 
in  the  hall. 

The  fourteenth  regular  toast  was— 

The  Bar  of  the  State  of  Connecticut:  Eminently  great  on  charg- 
ing, but  not  with  the  bayonet. 

HENRY  C.  ROBINSON,  Esq.,  responded  as  follows:— 

Mr.  Chairman,  —  I  regret  that  the  duty  of  responding  for  the  bar 
has  not  fallen  to  other  lips  than  mine.  I  see  about  me  many  promi- 
nent members  of  my  own  profession,  —  notably  my  brother  SILL,  who 
has  few  superiors  in  the  brotherhood  in  charging  (not  with  the 
bayonet),  fewer  still  superiors,  or  even  peers,  in  the  oratory  of  a 
dinner -table,-*  and  positively  no  superior  in  our  profession,  or  in  any 
other,  in  prowess  with  a  knife  and  fork. 

To  the  phraseology  of  your  resolution  I  suppose  I  must  not 
take  any  exception,  as  I  am  not  in  court,  but  I  must  object  to  its 
utterance  from  you,  Sir  Toast-master,  for  I  well  remember  that  you 
were  equal  to  the  best  of  us  in  these  bloodless  charges,  while  you  were 
still  active  in  the  profession,  and  now  you  excel  us  all  by  withdrawing 
to  the  probate-office  and  making  your  sufficient  charges  upon  the  dead. 

But,  as  I  remember  your  elegant  dinner,  which  has  just  wasted 
away  before  us,  I  stand  in  little  fear  of  the  martial  array  which  shines 
all  about  me.  It  is  not  the  bayonet  nor  the  sword  that  awakens 
apprehension.  Indeed,  I  am  like  the  impecunious,  but  hungry  indi- 
vidual who,  in  a  first-class  restaurant  in  New- York  City,  overcame 


6()  THE  BANQUET. 

course  after  course  of  choicest  food,  and,  when  soup  and  fish,  flesh, 
dessert,  and  wine  were  all  over,  rang  for  the  proprietor  as  he  coolly 
washed  his  fingers  in  the  perfumed  finger-bowl.  At.  the  host's  arrival, 
he  informed  him  that  he  had  no  money,  but  would  probably  call 
about  in  a  few  days  and  liquidate  the  little  obligation  due  for  his 
dinner,  which  he  pronounced  faultless.  Surprise  was  followed  by 
indignation,  and  indignation  by  loud  words,  on  the  landlord's  part, 
and  soon  the  host  raised  his  hand  to  his  inner  pocket,  as  if  feeling  for 
a  weapon.  Until  this  point,  our  hero  had  been  as  bland  as  May,  but, 
springing  from  his  seat,  he  seized  the  raised  arm  and  asked  the  irate 
landlord  for  what  he  was  feeling.  "  For  my  revolver,  you  scoundrel !  " 
"  Oh!  your  revolver:  go  on,  then!  I  thought  you  were  searching  for 
a  stomach-pump." 

But,  sir,  while  the  mottoes  tell  us  of  the  silence  of  Jaws  in  the 
clash  of  arms,  I  am  not  unmindful  that  the  legal  profession  has  often 
contributed  of  her  choicest  blood  to  replenish  the  ranks  of  the  army. 
In  recalling  the  military  leaders  which  our  own  state  furnished  to  the 
late  great  war  for  our  nation's  life,  I  have  thought  of  many  whose 
prowess  and  skill  in  the  field  of  arms  was  fully  equal  to  their  success 
at  the  bar.  I  remember  that  our  historian  of  this  evening,  whose 
exceedingly  delightful  effort  has  more  than  charmed  us,  was  of  the 
bar;  that  of  the  earliest  of  our  volunteers,  one  who  climbed  from  the 
lowest  to  the  highest  military  honor,  glorious  JOE  HAWI.EY,  was  of  the 
bar;  that  from  New  London  County  the  bar  sent  General  HAUL  AND, 
—  from  Fairfield  County,  General  FERRY,  —  from  New  Haven  County, 
the  hero  of  Fort  Fisher,  —  from  the  activities  of  our  own  circle  here, 
Colonel  DRAKE.  Others,  too,  may  well  be  named,  which  time  forbids. 
Let  me  mention  a  single  other  contribution  of  the  bar  to  the  army ; 
and  I  speak  of  one  whose  father  we  have  rejoiced  to  see  to-night  upon 
your  stage,  girt  in  the  beauty  of  youth,  as  when  we  saw  him  lead  your 
column,  as  your  major,  a  score  of  years  ago.  And  let  me  say  that  our 
nation  yielded  no  sweeter  sacrifice  in  the  weary  months  and  years 
of  our  struggle  than  Colonel,  General,  GRIFFIN  A.  STEDMAN;  Colonel- 
STEDMAN  as  he  died — •  General  STEDMAN  as  he  lay  in  his  soldier's 
shroud,  with  the  general's  commission  upon  the  coffin,  too  late  for  him 
to  read  it,  but  not  too  late  for  history.  Purer,  braver,  truer  clay  than 
that  which  enriched  his  coffin,  was  never  laid  to  rest  under  the  green 
grass  with  a  soldier's  honors. 

The  orator  of  the  evening,  in  one  of  his  most  brilliant  and 
graphic  periods,  grouped  before  you  the  gathering  of  the  commanders 
of  the  allied  forces,  in  1780,  at  Court  House  Square,  and  then  asked 
for  an  artist,  to  place,  in  the  glow  of  color  and  the  power  of  grouping 
upon  canvas,  the  scene  and  the  men.  As  lie  asked  where  is  the  artist? 


THE  BANQl'FT.  Ql 

I  thought  of  HORACE  VERNET  and  his  brilliant  colors  upon  the  walls 
of  Versailles;  of  our  own  TRUMBULL  and  his  immortal  shadows, — 
but  they  are  dead;  and  then  of  DAVID  HUNTINGTON,  but  he  is 
getting  past  youth,  —  and  my  heart  fell.  But  just  then  I  remembered 
that,  a  few  evenings  ago,  as  I  was  reading  The  Evening  Times,  which 
I  always  read  with  much  pleasure,  I  observed  that  they  had  gone  aside 
from  the  fields  of  literature,  which  they  so  easily  make  beautiful,  and 
had  entered  the  range  of  art ;  that  they  had,  for  the  time,  dropped  the 
pen  and  assumed  the  chisel.  There  upon  the  evening  sheet  I  saw 
a  masterly  sketch  of  the  features  of  one  JAMES  WILSON,  of  whom  you 
may  all  have  heard :  he  died  of  an  excessive  strain  upon  his  neck. 
I  know  not  the  author  of  that  beautiful  portrait;  but,  as  I  recalled  it 
I  longed  to  rise  in  my  seat  and  to  say,  "  Colonel  DEMING,  your  artist 
is  born." 

Gentlemen,  in  behalf  of  the  bar,  let  me  congratulate  you  upon  the 
success  of  this  evening;  upon  its  delightful  memories  and  its  good 
promises;  upon  your  successful  feast,  your  exquisite  music,  and  your 
most  brilliant  addresses.  Let  me  dare  to  say,  that  not  even  the  city  of 
Boston,  with  her  rich  histories  and  her  critical  taste  and  abundant 
talent,  could  have  offered  a  better  literary  and  musical  entertainment, 
than  this  to  which  you  have  so  kindly  invited  us.  We  are  proud 
of  our  city  and  of  you. 

I  had  almost  forgotten  to  mention  a  single  other  offering  of  the 
bar  to  military  life,  which  was  in  my  thought;  and  you  will  pardon 
me  if  I  transgress  the  limits  of  our  commonwealth  and  go  for  my 
illustration  one  step  to  the  north,  and  suggest  for  your  consideration 
that  paragon  of  military  science,  General  BENJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 

The  fifteenth  regular  toast  was — 

The  Press:     "  The  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword." 

The  Kev.  ELISHA  CUSHMAN,  of  The  Christian  Secretary, 
responded  as  follows : — 

I  find  myself  to  night  one  hundred  years  old ;  and  yet  I  do  not  see 
but  I  am  as  strong  and  vigorous  as  on  the  day  I  was  born  !  One  hun- 
dred years  old  !  —  for  is  not  this  the  one  hundredth  birth-day  of  the 
First  Company  Governor's  Guard  ?  —  "  quorum  pars  magna  fui,"  - 
pars  magna  sum,  I  may  say ;  at  least  some.  As  long  ago  as  I  can 
remember,  I  "  took  after  "  the  Foot  Guard.  It  is  written,  "  Train  up 
a  child"  —  you  know  the  rest,  — and  the  training  of  youth  is  very 
largely  through  the  faculty  of  imitation.  As  to  "  trainers,"  in  my 


Q2  THE  BANQUET. 

judgment  there  were  never  any  quite  equal  to  the  Governor's  Guard. 
So,  when  very  young,  a  company  of  us  boys  trained  as  nearly  like 
them  as  we  knew  how.  We  imitated  the  uniform.  Rolling  our 
"  trousers  "  up  as  high  as  we  could  possibly  get  them  ;  then  covering 
our  lower  limbs  nearly  to  the  knee  with  dark  clay,  sometimes  fixing 
on  small  stones  for  buttons ;  procuring  bright  tin  frontispieces  for  our 
caps,  and  encasing  our  bodies  in  red  flannel  from  mother's  wardrobe, 
we  shouldered  our  wooden  muskets,  and  made  out  a  very  fair  copy  of 
the  old  Guard  —  so  I  thought.  One  of  the  heroes  of  our  street,  in 
those  days,  was  a  gentleman  who  combined  "  the  press  and  the 
sword,"  for  he  was  a  good  printer  in  The  Courant  office,  and  ensign  of 
the  Foot  Guard,  —  Mr.  STANLEY  BENTON.  On  training  days,  as  he 
passed  our  door,  with  his  scarlet  coat,  his  broad  red  sash,  his  nodding 
plume,  and  his  soldierly  bearing,  oh  !  I  thought,  if  ever  I  could  reach 
anything  like  that,  I  should  have  attained  to  David's  "  first  three,1' 
for  certain. 

When  but  a  small  boy,  I  went  to  Philadelphia  to  reside.  Of 
course  I  went  at  times  to  see  the  military  there ;  but,  alas  !  how  infe- 
rior they  all  appeared,  —  their  drum-beat  with  a  hitch  in  it;  their 
homely  uniforms;  their  poor  drill,  as  it  seemed  to  me,  compared  with 
the  old  Foot  Guard ;  and  when,  after  three  or  four  years,  I  returned 
to  my  native  home,  —  perhaps  I  ought  not  to  say  that  one  of  the  chief 
considerations  which  gladdened  me  in  coming  back  was  the  thought 
of  looking  again  upon  the  glorious  old  Foot  Guard ;  but  it  was!  At 
length,  becoming  a  man,  I  "  put  away  childish  things ;  •'  and  what 
think  you  I  did  ?  Joined  the  Foot  Guard.  I  took  a  "  pen  "  (accord- 
ing to  the  sentiment  just  now)  in  hand,  as  precedent  to  the  "sword,'' 
and  wrote  my  name  on  the  company  roll.  And  do  you  know  when  I 
first  "smelt  powder"?  —  I  mean,  in  the  higher  sense  of  that  phrase. 
It  was  on  the  morning  when,  having  first  donned  my  new  uniform,  I 
went  into  the  tonsorial  depot  of  JOHN  A.  SPENCER  (M.A.  he  was,  as 
well  as  John  A.,  —  master  of  his  art),  and  then  and  there  he  covered 
my  head  all  over  witli  the  professional  white  powder.  I  felt  myself 
fairly  covered  with  glory,  —  and  then,  at  night,  as  I  undertook  to  get 
it  out  of  my  hair,  oh!  how  the  glory  had  departed!  I  felt  like 
writing  "Ichabod"  upon  my  fore-front,  —  though  that  was  not  pre- 
cisely my  name.  I  observe  that  this  style  of  smelling  powder  is  now 
unfortunately  obsolete  with  the  Guard. 

How  well  I  recall  an  excursion  to  Middletown  with  the  company. 
It  was  on  one  of  the  hottest  Fourths  of  July  that  I  ever  knew,  —  and 
I  was  torn  on  the  4th  of  July.  This  is  a  sort  of  anachronism,  —  a 
discrepancy  at  least  with  my  opening  statement,  but  never  mind.  I 
do  not  say  that  my  birth-day  was  on  the  4th  of  July,  1771,  though  it 


THE  BANQUET.  $3 

was  some  time  ago.  But  on  that  hot  excursion  clay,  I  know  that 
I  shouldered  a  musket  —  I  was  but  corporal  then  —  and  with  the 
heavy  bearskin  cap  and  scarlet  coat  and  all  the  fixings,  I  marched  for 
three  mortal  hours,  in  the  very  hottest  part  of  the  day;  and,  though 
not  a  very  stout  man  —  only  a  kind  of  bony-part  —  I  never  dreamed  of 
being  tired.  Esprit  da  corps  was  probably  the  explanation  of  this,  — 
the  true  ''  spirit  of  the  body/'  that  renders  me  oblivious  of  fatigue. 
Major  MILLER  was  our  commander  at  that  time.  Not  much  has  been 
said  of  him  to-night  —  good  soldier  and  gentleman  as  he  was.  But 
some  things  had  occurred  during  the  day  to  ruffle  him  a  little,  and  a 
few  of  us  were  anxious  to  restore  his  good  nature.  So,  while  having 
a  little  social  time  at  the  armory,  late  in  the  evening,  before  breaking 
up,  taking  my  part  with  the  rest,  I  ventured  a  toast,  of  which  a  friend 
lias  just  now  reminded  me.  The  major  was  becoming  somewhat  cor- 
pulent,— a  tendency,  as  I  thought,  of  his  position  in  the  Guard, — and 
so  I  gave,  "  Our  worthy  major-commandant:  if  he  is  not  the  Bona- 
parte of  the  age,  he  certainly  is  chargeable  with  no  lack  in  the  fleshy 
part."  Our  major's  look,  for  a  moment,  led  me  to  fear  that  I  had 
done  mischief;  but  he  broke  into  a  laugh,  and  we  all  laughed,  and  so 
we  went  happily  home. 

I  said  that  corpulency  seemed  to  be  a  tendency  of  the  Foot  Guard 
majors.  It  was  so  with  Major  PUTNAM,  whose  figure  looms  up  in  my 
boyish  remembrances.  He  Avas  a  grandly  solid  man,  and  I  had  been 
really  accustomed  to  look  upon  him  as  identical  with  the  old  hero  of 
the  wolf-den, — the  man  of  whom  it  was  said,  "He  dared  to  lead 
where  any  dared  to  follow."  And  Major  GEORGE  PUTNAM  dared  to 
lead  where  any  Foot  Guard  dared  to  follow, — which  is  saying  consid- 
erable. If  he  did  not  kill  a  wolf,  he  "  knocked  down  "  numerous 
other  things;  and  when  Major  PUTNAM  was  heard  crying  "Going! 
going ! "  we  were  very  sure  that  something  would  be  soon  "  gone." 
He  was  a  memorable  pattern  of  a  man. 

But  "  the  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword."  Sometimes  it  is.  I 
remember  a  certain  general,  whom  no  sword  was  likely  to  harm- 
much  ;  but  when  somebody's  pen  wrote  the  two  short,  sharp  words, 
"  Bottled  up,"  he  writhed.  And  afterwards,  when  a  pen  was  pointed 
at  him  one  evening  from  our  own  city,  and  the  contents  shot  along 
the  wires  a  distance  of  twenty-six  miles,  it  is  reported  that  he  quivered 
and  his  countenance  changed. 

The  sword  is  sometimes  efficacious  in  quelling  disorders,  but  the 
pen  is  more  so.  An  old  Aunt  Betsey  whom  I  knew,  was  in  the  habit 
of  prescribing  for  a  large  class  of  ailments,  what  she  called  "  a  dose 
of  quills."  And  for  many  an  unsoundness  this  is  the  specific.  As 
public  disorders  threaten,  only  let  our  friend  of  The  Couraut,  or  him 


(J4  THE  BANQUET. 

of  The  Post,  or  him  of  The  Times,  administer  their  (loses  of  "  quills," 
and  it  will  be  a  wonder  if  the  remedy  does  not  tell.  And  as  a  hint 
to  our  coadjutor,  Mr.  WAKNEU,  who  writes  upon  agriculture  and 
"  nothing  else,"  I  may  suggest  that  the  pen  is  a  prominent  agricultural 
institution  —  an  adjunct  of  the  farm.  I  heard,  a  while  since,  of  some 
officer  in  regimentals,  who  had  occasion  to  step  over  into  his  pen,  and 
for  some  purpose  he  pricked  one  of  its  "  natives  "  Avith  the  point  of 
his  sword.  The  animal  incontinently  turned,  and,  as  hogs  are  wont  to 
do,  ran  directly  between  the  gentleman's  legs  and  upset  him.  Picking 
himself  up,  he  clambered  back  over  the  inclosure,  murmuring  dole- 
fully, "  The  pen  is  mightier  than  the  sword."  But  this  is  only  an 
episode. 

To  return  to  the  Foot  Guard.  I  rejoice  in  the  honorable  reputa- 
tion which  they  have  ever  borne.  I  am  reminded  of  a  sentiment 
uttered  by  a  predecessor  of  the  chaplain  of  the  evening.  It  was  at  a 
gathering  of  the  two  companies  of  Foot  Guard,  some  years  ago,  and 
the  toast  was  on  this  wise:  "  The  First  and  Second  Companies  of  Gov- 
ernor's Guard — scholars  and  gentlemen :  scholars,  for  they  are  all  well 
red;  gentlemen,  for  there  is  not  a  black-guard  among  them."  So  may 
it  ever  be,  —  their  reputation  and  their  uniform  alike  bright  and  beau- 
tiful. They  have,  from  the  beginning,  been  distinguished  for  their 
upright  walk,  for  their  good  discipline,  and  for  "  common  time." 
This  latter  has  been  one  of  their  marked  specialties.  They  have 
always  been  noted  for  "  doing  "  common  time;  and,  as  for  the  matter 
of  an  uncommon  time,  what  we  here  see  around  us  may  sufficiently 
demonstrate  their  capacity. 

I  have  almost  feared  that  some  of  you  are  unduly  postponing  the 
millennium,  in  talking  of  a  bi-centennial  of  this  kind.  I  had  hoped 
that  the  millennial  time  might  dawn  upon  the  world  before  another 
century;  but  would  not  that  bring  the  history  of  the  Guard  to  an 
end  ?  A  friend  at  my  side  says  No.  But  is  it  not  written  that  "  they 
shall  learn  war  no  more "  in  that  day  ?  However,  if  there  is  any 
drawlnclc  to  my  bright  anticipations  of  the  coming  millennium,  it  is 
the  fact  that  the  vocation  of  the  Foot  Guard  may  then  be  gone ! 

"Well,  fellow-soldiers,  as  you  march  onward  down  the  vista  of  the 
future,  may  you  continue  to  honor  the  memories  of  the  past.  And  as 
at  the  close  of  an  old-time  Election  day,  I  used  to  watch  the  vanishing- 
column  of  the  Guard  as  it  disappeared  down  the  street,  and  while  I 
strained  my  vision  to  catch  the  last  dissolving  view  of  the  gaiters 
of  the  "  hind-captain  "  in  the  distance,  I  sighed  my  farewell,  and  sent 
hosts  of  good  wishes  after  them,  so  wTill  I  still  invoke  all  possible 
benedictions  upon  you  in  the  ages  to  come.  The  banner  of  the  Foot 
Guard, — 


THE  BANQUET.  (55 

— "  Long  may  it  wave, 
The  type  of  true  freedom— the  flag  of  the  brave !  " 

The  sixteenth  regular  toast  was — 

The  Ladies :  In  the  order  of  creation,  second ;  in  everv  other 
order,  first. 

GEORGE  Gr.  SILL,  Esq.,  responded  in  his  own  inimitable 
style.  It  was  an  excessively  amusing  speech,  and  provoked 
uproarious  laughter.  In  alluding  to  the  ladies,  he  made  a 
succession  of  witty  allusions,  which  fairly  convulsed  the 
house  with  laughter. 

Following  these  post-prandial  exercises,  the  banquet  was 
brought  to  a  close  about  half-past  10  o'clock,  the  very  large 
audience  in  the  galleries  having  remained  intact  throughout 
the  entire  proceedings.  During  the  evening,  some  fine 
music  was  rendered  by  the  American  Brass  Band  of  Provi- 
dence, Wheeler  &  Wilson's  Band  df  Bridgeport,  and  a 
double  quartette  of  male  .voices,  under  the  direction  of  Mr. 
R  0.  PHELPS.  The  Providence  Band  played  "  Auld  Lang 
Syne,"  a  serenade,  "  My  own,  my  Guiding  Star,"  the 
"  Albertine  Galop,"  "  Drums  and  Trumpets/'  a  despriptive 
piece  by  Mr.  BEEVES,  leader  of  the  band,  and  the  "  Her- 
mione  Polka,"  the  latter  introducing  a  cornet  solo  by  Mr. 
BEEVES,  which  was  exquisitely  performed,  and  excited  an 
encore,  to  which  he  responded  by  playing  "Yankee  Doo- 
dle,'' with  variations,  in  an  equally  fine  manner.  The  music 
of  this  band,  throughout  the  celebration,  was  excellent,  and 
gave  general  satisfaction.  The  Glee  Club  sang  "  All  honor 
to  the  Soldier  Brave,''  and  "  The  Morn  of  Day  Approaches," 
both  in  fine  style,  and  were  highly  applauded. 

Altogether,  the  celebration  was  carried  out,  in  all  its  de- 
tails, admirablv,  doing  credit  to  the  efficient  committees  of 
the  Veteran  Corps,  and  to  all  others  who  aided  in  the  prelim- 
inary arrangements.  Not  a  single  incident  occurred  to  inter- 
fere with  the  success  of  the  affair.  May  the  next  centennial 
anniversary  be  as  well  conducted,  and  may  the  Foot  Guard,  in 
the  language  of  Bip  Van  Winkle,  "live  long  and  prosper.'' 


APPENDIX. 


APPENDIX  A.   ' 

[From  The  Connecticut  Courant,  August  2,  1831.] 
COMMUNICATION. 

GOVERNOR'S  FOOT  GUARD.  —  It  is  understood  that  this  ancient 
and  honorable  battalion  corps,  so  long  the  pride  of  our  city,  and 
which  has  for  sixty  years  sustained  the  highest  rank  in  the  militia  of 
this  commonwealth,  intend  soon  to  pay  a  visit  to  the  city  of  New 
York.  It  is  not  doubted  that  their  antique  and  splendid  dress,  re- 
minding the  spectator  of  olden  times,  together  with  their  excellent 
state  of  discipline,  will  attract  a  full  sh,are  of  attention  in  our  great 
commercial  metropolis. 

Some  slight  sketches  of  the  origin  and  history  of  this  company 
may  not  be  entirely  uninteresting.  The  Legislature  of  the  colony 
passed  the  act  authorizing  their  formation  in  1770,  and  in  the  year 
following  they  received  their  charter.  At  this  time,  his  excellency 
JONATHAN  TRUMBULL,  the  elder,  was  governor  of  the  colony.  General 
SAMUEL  WYLLYS,  afterwards  a  colonel  in  the  regular  continental  army, 
and  secretary  of  the  state,  was  the  first  commander.  The  only  sur- 
vivor of  the  original  members  of  the  company,  living  in  this  city,  is 
our  esteemed  fellow-citizen,  Major  JOHN  CALDWELL.  The  successor  of 
General  WYLLYS  in  the  command  was  the  Hon.  JONATHAN  BULL.  In 
the  darkest  period  of  the  revolutionary  struggle,  when  a  large  British 
army,  under  General  BDRGOYNE,  had  invaded  our  northern  frontier, 
and  was  pressing  forward  to  form  a  junction  with  Sir  HENRY  CLINTON 
and  his  army  on  the  Hudson,  with  a  view  to  cut  off  all  communication 
between  the  northern  and  southern  states,  and  put  an  end  to  the  war, 
at  this  time  of  alarm,  when  the  militia  of  New  England  were  all 
called  out  to  defend  their  homes  and  families,  the  Foot  Guard,  under 
Judge  BULL,  although  specially  exempted  by  their  charter  from  being 
drafted,  unanimously  volunteered,  and  marched  to  the  assistance 
of  their  brethren  at  Saratoga.  Although  they  were  not  so  fortunate 
as  to  reach  the  scene  of  action  in  time  to  participate  in  the  taking  of 


APPENDIX. 


67 


BUUGOYNE,  yet  the  patriotism  and  courage  they  evinced  on  this  occa- 
sion, form  an  honorable  distinction  in  their  history.  It  was  while 
marching  across  Rhinebeck  flats,  as  an  advanced  guard  to  the  troops 
•who  were  hastening  toward  Saratoga,  that  they  met  the  express  con- 
veying the  thrilling  tidings  of  BURGOYNE'S  surrender. 

The  successor  of  Judge  BULL  was  CHARLES  HOPKINS,  Esq.,  who  is 
yet  living  at  an  advanced  age.  After  him  came  successively  JOSEPH 
DAY,  GEORGE  BULL,  and  JESSE  ROOT,  Esqrs.  Toward  the  close  of 
the  last  century,  the  command  devolved  upon  the  Hon.  NATHANIEL' 
TERRY,  and  under  him  the  company  rose  to  a  very  high  degree 
of  prosperity.  An  act  of  the  Legislature  was  passed,  enlarging  their 
privileges,  and  allowing  an  increase  of  their  numbers.  General 
TERRY  retained  the  command  until  1813,  a  short  time  before  his 
election  to  Congress.  His  successors  have  been  ISAAC  D.  BULL, 
RICHARD  E.  GOODWIN,  JAMES  M.  GOODWIN,  LYNDE  OLMSTED, 
CHARLES  WELLS,  GEORGE  PUTNAM,  and  JONATHAN  GOODWIN,  Esqrs., 
all  of  whom  are  now  living.  The  Guards  are  commanded  by  a  major, 
who  receives  his  orders  from  the  governor  of  the  state  alone.  Under 
him  are  a  captain,  three  lieutenants,  an  ensign,  eight  sergeants,  eight 
corporals,  ninety-six  privates,  and  a  full  band  of  music. 

It  is  believed  there  are  but  two  military  companies  now  existing 
in  New  England,  whose  charters  are  of  sy  ancient  date  as  that  of  the 
Guards;  viz. :  the  Independent  Cadets,  of  Boston,  who  were  chartered 
in  1741,  and  the  Ancient  and  Honorable  Artillery,  likewise  of  Boston, 
the  date  of  whose  formation  is  not  recollected  by  the  writer.  B. 


APPENDIX  P>. 

[Another  sketch  of  JONATHAN  TBUMBULL,  from  DB  CHASTBLLUX,  vol.  1,  p.  33.] 
Another  interesting  personage  was  then  at  Hartford,  and  I  went  to 
pay  him  a  visit.  This  was  Governor  TRUMBULL,  —  governor  ly  excel- 
lence, for  he  has  been  so  these  fifteen  years,  having  been  always  re- 
chosen  at  the  end  of  every  two  years,  and  equally  possessing  the 
public  esteem  under  the  English  government  and  under  that  of  the 
Congress.  He  is  seventy  years  old;  his  whole  life  is  consecrated 
to  business,  which  he  passionately  loves,  whether  important  or  not, — 
or  rather,  with  respect  to  him,  there  is  none  of  the  latter  description. 
He  has  all  the  simplicity  in  his  dress,  all  the  importance,  and  even 
pedantry,  becoming  the  great  magistrate  of  a  small  republic.  He 
brought  to  my  mind  the  burgomasters  of  Holland  in  the  time  of  the 
Heinsiuses  and  the  Barnevelts,  &c. 


68 


APPENDIX. 


The  sermon  wliieli  Mr.  KENDALL  heard  was  by  AMOS  BASSETT, 
A.M.,  pastor  of  a  church  in  Hebron.  The  subject,  "  Advantages  and 
Means  of  Union  in  Society;"  the  text,  "Behold,  how  good  and  how 
pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity !  "  The  theme  is 
followed  through  twenty-seven  heads,  which  would  swell  this  pam- 
phlet too  voluminously  to  copy. 


APPENDIX  D. 

KOSLYN  CASTLE. 


ii^g— r r-sr-i — t~t_r    rj  r  r 

•**-  **^i     —   a^g- 


APPENDIX   E. 

From  among  the  many  responses  to  the  committee's  invitation,  w,e 
select  the  following  for  publication:— 

Hampton,  October  18,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  A  sudden  and  severe  cold  will  prevent  my  being  in 
Hartford  on  the  19th,  as  I  anticipated,  which  I  regret  exceedingly,  as 
my  acquaintance  with  the  company  commenced  in  May,  1826,  the  first 


year  of  my  connection  with  the  Legislature.  I  greatly  admired  them 
then,  and  have  not  ceased  to  consider  them,  ever  since,  as  one  of  the 
best  military  companies  in  the  state ;  and  I  promised  myself  much 
pleasure  in  meeting  them,  with  my  other  friends,  on  the  interesting 
occasion  of  their  centennial  anniversary.  May  (rod  prosper  and  bless 
the  Governor's  Foot  Guard  ! 

Respectfully  yours, 

C.  F.  CLEVELAND,  per  H.  L.  C. 


Lakeville,  October  14,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Absence  from  home  must  be  my  apology  for  not  having 
earlier  responded  to  your  polite  invitation  to  attend  the  centennial 
celebration  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard.  It  would 
have  given  me  much  pleasure  to  meet  the  gentlemen  composing  that 
Guard,  and  the  gentlemen  who  will  be  associated  with  them.  But  I 
am  compelled  to  deny  myself  that  pleasure,  on  account  of  daily 
necessary  preparations  for  a  somewhat  protracted  absence  from  home 
and  country. 

"We  can  scarcely  be  permitted  to  hope  that  any,  even  the  youngest, 
of  your  Guard  will  be  permitted  to  participate  in  another  centennial 
celebration;  but  we  may  hope  that  many  of  their  sons  will  be  spared 
to  honor  this  veteran  corps  in  the  future,  as  it  has  been  honored  in  the 
past  by  those  who  have  thus  been  enabled  to  perpetuate  its  existence 
through  an  entire  century.  May  the  close  of  the  coming  century  find 
its  officers  and  men  even  more  thoroughly  imbued  with  the  eywit  du 
rorps  that  shall  carry  it  triumphantly  through  even  a  third  century  ! 

Wishing  you  a  joyous  and  successful  meeting  on  the  19th  instant, 
I  am  very  truly  your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

A.  H.  HOLLEY. 

Norwich,  October  11,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir, — I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  an  invi- 
tation from  you  and  your  associates,  to  attend  the  celebration  of  the 
centennial  anniversary  of  the  First  Company  of  Governor's  Foot 
Guard,  and  deeply  regret  that  I  am  under  an  engagement  which 
prevents  my  acceptance.* 

While  in  office,  I  valued  the  services  which  your  company  ren- 
dered, and  felt  personally  honored  by  the  interest  and  dignity  which 


*  Governor  BUCKINGHAM,  having  fulfilled  his  engagement,  was  (to  the  great  grati- 
fication of  all)  enabled  to  be  present  and  participate  in  the  celebration. 


r~()  M>I'KN1>1X. 

it  gave  to  an  inauguration.     You  made  the  governor  more  than  he 
would  have  been  but  for  your  support. 

I  trust  that  your  organization  will  continue  to  maintain  its  enviable 
reputation  for  the  high  personal  character  of.  its  members,  for  their 
patriotism  and  soldierly  bearing,  and  that,  for  centuries  to  come,  no 
one  will  be  able  to  write  the  history  of  Connecticut  without  honorable 
mention  of  your  continued  services. 

Believe  I  am  very  respectfully  yours, 

WM.  A.  BUCKINGHAM. 


New  Haven,  October  18,  1871. 
To  Major  L.  E.  HUNT,   Secretary  First  Company  Governor's  Foot 

Guard,  Hartford: 

Sir,  —  I  thank  you  for  the  cordial  invitation  of  the  time-honored 
First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard  and  Veteran  Corps  of  said 
company,  to  participate  with  them  in  the  celebration  of  the  one  hun- 
dredth anniversary  of  their  organization;  and  the  uninterrupted 
success  of  your  ancient  and  honorable  company  for  a  period  of 
one  hundred  years  is  a  source  of  great  interest  to  the  people  of  Con- 
necticut, especially  when  wre  consider  that  it  ante-dates  both  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Constitution  of  the  federal 
government. 

"One  hundred  years  ago," 

while  the  other  colonies  were  suffering  under  the  domination  of  royal 
governors,  Connecticut  had,  from  the  beginning,  been  governed  only 
by  rulers  of  her  choice.  An  attempt  having  once  been  made  to  wrrest 
from  her  the  charter  under  which  she  was  acting,  and  probably  fearing 
a  similar  demand  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  the  General  Court 
granted  the  charter  under  which  your  company  was  organized,  as 
a  home,  or  governor's,  guard.  It  is,  I  believe,  a  fact,  that,  since  your 
organization,  the  company  has  never  failed  to  observe  and  honor  the 
inauguration  of  the  governor-elect,  by  an  escort  to  and  from  the  State 
House,  on  Election  day.  It  affords  me  very  great  pleasure  to  testify 
to  the  unswerving  fidelity  and  hearty  and  cheerful  obedience  to  all 
my  orders  during  my  official  term  as  the  chief  executive  of  the  state. 

I  shall  not  be  able  to  attend  the  celebration  personally,  but  in 
spirit  I  shall  always  be  with  you,  when  —  in  the  future,  as  in  the  past 
— you  shall  be  engaged  in  upholding  and  (if  necessary)  defending  the 
honor  of  the  state  of  Connecticut  and  the  federal  Union. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  E.  ENGLISH. 


A  PPENDTX.  ji 

New  Haven,  October  17,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  regret  that  I  can  not  allow  myself  the  honor  of 

joining  you  in  the  celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 

First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  at  Hartford,  on  the  19th 

instant.     Thanking  your  committee  for  the  honor  done  me,  I  remain 

Yours  most  respectful!  v, 

MORRIS  TYLEK. 

I  have  delayed  my  answer  to  your  invitation  to  this  late  day, 
in  the  hope  that  I  should  be  able  to  be  present:  but  I  am  now  com- 
pelled to  give  up  the  hope.  Yours,  M.  T. 


Sharon,  October  15,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,    Secretary   Committee   of  Invitation,   Hartford, 

Conn. : 

My  Dear  Sir, — I  feel  greatly  honored  by  the  invitation  to  be  present 
at  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  noble  military  organization, 
which,  chartered  in  the  old  colonial  days,  has,  for  so  long  a  period, 
been  the  brightest  ornament  of  the  citizen-soldiery  of  our  ancient 
commonwealth.  Circumstances  rendering  my  personal  attendance 
impossible,  I  can  only  express  the  deepest  regret  that  I  can  not  join 
your  pleasant  festival,  and  enjoy  the  hospitality  so  characteristic 
of  the  people  of  your  beautiful  city, — the  natural,  and  I  trust  soon  to 
be  the  only,  capital  of  our  renowned  and  historic  state. 

Again  expressing  my  pleasure  at  the  reception  of  your  kind  and 
flattering  invitation,  and  most  cordially  wishing  the  past  and  present 
members  of  your  distinguished  corps  all  possible  enjoyment  at  the 
celebration  of  their  hundredth  anniversary,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

JOHN  COTTON  SMITH. 

13,  Princes  Gate,  W.,  London,  Sept,  29,  1871. 
W.  B.  ELY,  Esq.: 

My  Dear  Sir,  —  Upon  my  return  to  town  after  an  absence  of  some 
weeks,  I  find  your  note  of  the  4th  instant,  informing  of  the  proposed 
celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  Governor's  Foot 
Guard,  of  Hartford,  and  asking  me  to  be  present  on  that  occasion. 
It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to  accept  your  invitation;  and  I 
regret  that  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  do  so.  I  have  lost  none  of  iny 
interest  in  whatever  concerns  its  welfare,  and,  although  I  can  not  be 
present  on  the  occasion  referred  to,  I  most  cheerfully  contribute  my 


72  APPENDIX. 

mite  toward  making  it  a  cheerful  gathering  to  those  who  are  more 
fortunate.  I  inclose  a  cheque  for  one  hundred  dollars,  which  please 
accept  as  a  token  of  my  remembrance  and  good-will.  The  only  regret 
is,  that  I  can  not  be  with  you  in  person. 

Believe  me,  faithfully  yours,  J.  S.  MORGAN. 


Louisville,  Ky.,  October  20,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary,  &c.,  Hartford,  Conn.: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your  kind  invitation  to  be  present  at  the  celebration 
of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  First  Company  of  Governor's 
Foot  Guard,  reached  me  at  so  late  a  day,  that  I  could  neither  accept 
it  nor  acknowledge  your  kindness  before  the  celebration.  Your  letter 
was  directed  to  Atlanta,  Georgia,  and  hence  the  delay  in  receiving  it. 
It  would  have  given  me  great  pleasure  to  be  present,  had  it  been 
possible,  and  I  beg  you  to  convey  to  the  committee  my  thanks  for  their 
invitation.  Very  sincerely  yours,  ALFRED  H.  TERRY. 


Mayor's  Office,  City  of  Hartford,  October  16,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  The  kind  invitation  of  the  First  Company  Governor's 
Foot  Guard,  to  participate  with  them  in  the  celebration  of  the  one 
hundredth  anniversary  of  their  organization,  is  received.  I  had  ex- 
pected to  have  had  the  pleasure  of  being  present  on  that  occasion, 
but  now  find  that  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  do  so.  Regretting 
very  much  that  such  is  the  fact,  and  thanking  the  company  for  this 
mark  of  their  consideration,  I  am  yours  truly, 

CHAS.  11.  CHAPMAN*. 

Mayor's  Office,  New  Haven,  October  17,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your  esteemed  favor  of  the  2d  instant,  inviting  me  to 
attend  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  First  Company  Governor's 
Foot  Guard,  to  be  holden  in  your  city  on  the  19th  instant,  has  been 
duly  received,  for  which  accept  my  most  grateful  acknowledgments. 
I  sincerely  regret  that  the  multiplicity  of  my  official  duties,  which 
are  pressing  me  on  every  hand,  will  prevent  me  from  being  present  on 
the  day  in  question.  The  occasion  is  a  most  fitting  one,  in  every 
respect,  and  the  present  members  of  the  honorable  organization  may 
look  back  with  pride  on  the  past  history  of  one  of  the  most  efficient 
military  organizations  in  the  commonwealth. 

Accept  this  brief  acknowledgment,  as  I  have  not  time  to  add 
more,  and  believe  me,  yjuf  humble  servant, 

HENRY  G.  LEWIS,  Mayor, 


APPENDIX.  73 

Post-office.  New  Haven,  October  18,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your  letter  of  invitation  came  duly  to  hand.  I  have 
been  absent  for  some  days  in  Boston,  or  your  kind  note  would  have 
been  answered  before.  I  fear  I  shall  not  be  able  to  attend  your  cele- 
bration. I  hope  the  occasion  will  be  a  happy  one,  and  that  it  will  be 
alike  creditable  and  honorable  to  your  company,  which  has,  for  one 
hundred  years,  been  a  pride  to  the  true  sons  of  Connecticut. 

I  am  very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

N.  D.  SPERRY. 


Lyme,  October  17,  1871. 
L.  E.  HUNT,  Esq.: 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  should  be  very  happy  to  meet  the  ancient  and  honor- 
able First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard  at  its  celebration,  and 
share  in  its  festivities  and  associations;  but  I  find  that  I  shall  be 
prevented.  I  will  only  express  a  hope,  that  it  may  add  nine  hundred 
more  to  the  years  of  its  existence,  and  continue  to  be,  as  it  always  has 
been,  the  pride  of  our  state.  Yours  very  truly, 

ClIAS.    J.    McCUKDY. 


Hartford,  October  14,  1871. 
Major  HUNT: 

My  Dear  Sir, — I  have  delayed  until  to-day  answering  the  invitation 
of  the  committee,  to  attend  the  centennial  celebration  of  the  Govern- 
or's Guard,  in  the  hope  that  I  should  be  able  to  accept  it.  I  regret 
being  compelled  to  say,  that  my  professional  engagements  will 
prevent.  Be  pleased  to  accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  honor 
done  me,  and  my  regrets  that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  participate  in  the 
very  pleasing  ceremonies.  I  entertain  great  regard  for  the  members  of 
the  corps,  and  as  an  institution  it  ranks  with  the  honored  of  the  state. 
May  our  beloved  state  be  preserved,  with  its  sovereignty  and  digni- 
ties, to  the  latest  days,  with  your  association  as  one  of  its  cherished 
guardians.  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WM.  W.  EATON. 


Perrysburg,  O.,  October  14,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  received  to-day  the  invitation  of  the  committee  of 
the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  to  participate  with  them 
in  celebrating  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  their  organization,  on 
the  19th  instant.  This  is  an  event  to  which  I  have  long  looked  for- 
ward with  eagerness,  and  nothing  would  give  me  more  pleasure  than 
10 


74 


APPENDIX. 


to  meet  with  my  old  comrades,  and  members  of  the  old  Guard,  upon 
this  occasion ;  but  I  regret  to  say,  that  the  time  is  so  short,  it  will  be 
impossible  to  arrange  matters  so  as  to  be  with  you  in  time.  With  a 
hearty  greeting  to  my  old  comrades,  and  to  all  the  members  of  the 
Foot  Guard,  I  am  most  respectfully  yours, 

HENRY  P.  AVERII.L. 


Washington,  October  16,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary,  &c. : 

Sir,  —  I  thank  the  committee  for  the  invitation,  received  on  the 
13th,  to  attend  the  celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the 
First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard.  As  I  shall  not  be  able  to  be 
present,  I  forward  herewith  a  contribution,  in  rhyme,  which  may 
be  used  by  the  committee,  as  to  them  shall  seem  to  be  proper. 
Yours,  &c.,  CHARLES  SPENCER, 

Formerly  Captain  and  First  Lieut,  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard. 

TO  THE  FIRST  COMPANY  GOVERNOR'S  FOOT  GUARD, 
A  GREETING, 

FOR  THE  CELEBRATION  OP  ITS  CENTENNIAL  ANNIVERSARY. 

By  CHARLES  SPENCER, 

Formerly  Captain  and  First  Lieutenant  of  the  Company. 

Not  War's  alarums  call  you  forth  to  fight, 

But  festive  greetings  bid  you  gather  now, 
And  if  your  martial  trappings  you  bedight, 

Peace  smiling  sits  upon  each  soldier's  brow. 

A  century's  years,  in  Time's  career,  have  sped 
Since  first  the  Foot  Guard  stood  in  bright  arm}*, 

And  glorious  is  the  life  which  it  has  led 
Up  to  this  honored  hundredth  natal  day. 

What  grand  events  have  in  that  time  been  born  ! 

And  followed  by  results  more  potent  still, 
Till  this  our  nation,  in  its  second  dawn, 

Anew  goes  on  its  purpose  to  fulfill ! 

Our  dear  old  state,  when  its  career  began, 

Was  in  colonial  tutelage  a  child, 
Now  is  it  in  its  stature  a  grown  man 

Of  "  steady  habits,"  pure  and  undefilcd. 

And  though  our  corps  first  trod  its  native  earth 
When  we  were  held  in  England's  leading-strings, 

It  after  had  a  glorious  second  birth, 

Fostered  beneath  our  eagle's  spreading  wings. 


APPENDIX.  ~r 

What  man  has  ever  been  to  it  allied, 

Who  has  not  to  his  stars  given  many  thanks 

(Feeling  the  while  a  generous,  manly  pride), 
That  he  has  marched  erect  within  its  ranks  ? 

Its  muster-book  has  many  names  enrolled 

Whose  owners  honored  places  well  have  held, 

Possessing  that  which  better  is  than  gold, 
A  spotless  fame  by  virtues  high  impelled. 

Still  keep  the  standard  up,  and  falter  not, 

Go  on  as  you  have  done  in  times  before, 
Let  not  a  stain  your  'scutcheon  ever  blot, 

Aim  high,  as  e'er  was  done  in  days  of  yore. 

Be  studious  of  true  honor — thus  well  read, 

Yourselves  and  coats  may  all  be  scholars  named ; 

In  manners  always  be  by  courtesy  led, 

And  not  as  blackguards  shall  you  be  defamed. 

Thus  do  I,  in  Affection's  rhyming,  greet 

The  first  centennial  of  our  ancient  corps, 
Regretting  that  I  'm  not  allowed  to  meet 

With  friends  I  trained  with  in  the  days  of  yore. 

Wag/liny  ton,  D.C.,  October  16,  1871. 


South  Norwalk,  October  17,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your  very  kind  invitation  to  participate  in  the  cele- 
bration of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  organization  of  the 
First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  on  the  19th  instant,  was 
received  yesterday.  I  regret,  very  much  indeed,  to  say  my  business 
engagements  are  of  such  a  nature  that  it  will  be  next  to  impossible 
for  me  to  be  present  on  that  interesting  occasion.  I  regret  it  the 
more  when  I  see  the  names  of  so  many  of  my  old  friends  and 
acquaintances  on  the  committee  of  invitation  and  arrangements.  I 
feel  well  assured  the  occasion  will  be  one  of  great  interest  to  all,  and, 
as  you  say,  "  a  source  of  honorable  pride  to  all  the  sons  of  Connecti- 
cut and  their  descendants."  I  have,  on  former  occasions,  spent  many 
pleasant  hours  with  your  ancient  and  honorable  corps,  and  my  heart  is 
still  with  you. 

Now,  dear  Sir,  please  accept  my  thanks  for  your  kind  invitation, 
and  my  best  wishes  for  the  health  and  prosperity  of  the  First  Com- 
pany Governor's  Foot  Guard ;  and  may  their  organization  be  preserved 
and  cherished  by  all,  more  than  a  hundred  years  to  come. 

Yours,  in  great  haste,  THOS.  GUYEB. 


7(;  A  PPENDIX. 

Hartford,  October  15,  1871. 
To  the  Committee  of  Invitation  of  the  Centennial  Anniversary  of  the 

First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard: 

Gentlemen,  —  I  received  your  kind  invitation  to  make  one  of  the 
guests  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  First  Company  of  Govern- 
or's Foot  Guard,  and  should  be  happy  to  accept  it,  but  age,  health, 
and  other  circumstances  will  prevent.  I  enlisted  into  that  ancient, 
noble,  and  honorable  company  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years,  was 
always  very  much  attached  to  it,  and  have  never  lost  my  interest 
in  it.  I  delight  to  see  it  in  all  its  prosperity,  and  hope  never  to  feel 
less  interest  in  it.  I  delight  to  reflect  upon  the  time  when  we  could 
call  into  the  field  eight  platoons  of  ten  privates,  and  sixteen  non- 
commissioned officers,  selected  from  the  many  that  offered  themselves 
at  that  time  for  enlistment;  and,  when  I  remember  the  majors  under 
whom  I  served,  and  find  that  every  one  of  them  have  passed  away 
before  me,  it  puts  me  in  mind  that  my  days  are  numbered,  and  that  I 
shall  soon  follow  them,  and  meet  them  in  a  happier  country. 

Respectfully  yours,  WM.  HUDSON. 


Hartford,  October  13,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary: 

Dear  Sir,  —  The  invitation  to  me  to  participate  in  the  centennial 
celebration  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  I  received 
with  much  pleasure.  It  awakens  in  me  recollections  and  associations 
of  the  time  when  I  was  a  member  of  the  company,  more  than  sixty 
years  ago.  It  was  a  proud  company.  The  officers  and  privates  were 
proud  of  each  other  and  of  themselves,  and  especially  proud  of  their 
honored  and  most  efficient  commander,  Major  NATHANIEL,  TEUKY.  I 
would  gladly  participate  in  the  celebration,  but  age  and  infirmities 
forbid,  and  I  must  decline  the  invitation.  I  hope  you  will  have 
a  good  time.  Yours  respectfully, 

ASAPH   WlLLAKD. 


Hartford,  October  12,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  Accept  my  thanks  for  the  invitation  you  sent  me  to 
attend  the  celebration  of  the  centennial  anniversary  of  the  Governor's 
Foot  Guard.     The  infirmities  of  my  advanced  age  must  be  my  excuse 
for  not  being  present  on  that  interesting  occasion. 
I  am  very  respectfully  yours,  <tc., 

JOHN  BEACH. 


APPENDIX. 


77 


Hartford,  October  17,  1871. 
To  the  Committee  of  Invitation,  Governor's  Foot  Guard: 

Gentlemen,  —  My  engagements  will  compel  me  to  deny  myself  the 
pleasure  of  being  present  at  your  centennial  celebration.  Have  the 
kindness  to  accept  my  acknowledgments  for  the  courtesy  of  the  invi- 
tation, and  believe  me  to  be 

Very  truly  yours, 

R.    D.    HUBBARl). 


Hartford,  October  18,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  have  to  acknowledge  your  kind  invitation  to  attend 
the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  organization 
of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard;  and  had  hoped,  until 
this  morning,  to  be  present  on  that  interesting  occasion :  but  unex- 
pected official  engagements  will  prevent. 

Thanking  you  and  the  rest  of  the  committee  for  your  kind  invita- 
tion, I  remain 

Very  respectfully  your  obedient  servant, 

W>r.  I).  SHIPMAN. 


Stafford,  Conn.,  October  17,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir, — Your  kind  and  complimentary  invitation  to  attend  the 
centennial  anniversary  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard, 
came  in  due  season,  and  I  thank  you  for  the  same.  I  regret  that  my 
indisposition  renders  my  attendance  at  the  celebration  doubtful. 
Still,  if  I  should  at  that  time  (the  19th  instant)  feel  bodily  able 
to  attend,  I  shall  most  certainly  pay  you  my  respects,  and  help,  with 
all  my  heart,  to  celebrate  the  hundredth  birth-day  of  our  ancient  and 
noble  Foot  Guard,  —  an  organization  older  than  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  of  the  liberty  of  the  colonies. 

Yours  very  truly,  E.  II.  HYDE. 


Head-quarters  United  Train  of  Artillery, 

Providence,  R.I.,  October  12,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary,  &c. : 

Dear  Sir, — I  am  in  receipt  of  the  committee's  very  kind  invitation 
to  be  with  you  on  the  occasion  of  the  celebration  of  the  centennial 
anniversary  of  the  Foot  Guard.  It  is  with  great  regret  that  I  am 


7fl  APPENDIX. 

compelled  to  decline  the  same;  but  I  can  not  do  otherwise,  having 
just  returned,  with  my  command,  from  a  visit  to  Philadelphia,  and 
finding  business  that  requires  my  presence  here  for  the  rest  of  the 
month.  Should  I  be  able  to  arrange  my  affairs  so  that  I  can  be  with 
you,  I  will  telegraph. 

Thanking  you  for  your  very  courteous  invitation,  I  remain 
Very  truly  yours, 

HENRY  ALLEN, 

Colonel  Commanding  United  Train  of  Artillery. 


Birmingham,  Conn.,  October  17,  1871. 

Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard, 
Hartford,  Conn. : 

Dear  Sir,  —  Your  kind  note  of  invitation,  to  be  present  at  the 
approaching  centennial  of  the  above  company,  was  duly  received,  and 
I  have  delayed  answering  till  now,  thinking  I  should  be  able  to  join 
-with  you  on  that  interesting  occasion.  I  exceedingly  regret,  however, 
that  I  shall  not  be  able  to  be  present.  I  shall,  nevertheless,  take 
a  deep  interest  in  the  success  of  the  affair,  as  well  on  account  of 
the  extreme  rarity  of  an  occasion  of  this  kind  in  these  days  of 
change  and  ephemeral  growth  and  decay,  as  on  account  of  the  whole- 
souled,  courteous  gentlemen  connected  with  the  company,  with  a  few 
of  whom  it  was  my  good  fortune  to  become  acquainted  during  the 
past  summer. 

Heartily  regretting  my  inability  to  be  present,  and  wishing  you  all 
the  success  and  happiness  which  your  fondest  hopes  have  pictured,  I 
remain  Yours  truly, 

DAVID  TORRANCE, 


Clinton,  October  12,  1871. 

To  Major  L.  E.  HUNT  and  other  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  Invi- 
tation, in  behalf  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  &c. : 

Gentlemen,  —  Yours  of  the  3d  instant  is  at  hand,  containing  an 
invitation  to  participate  in  the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anni. 
versary  of  the  organization  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot 
Guard  and  the  Veteran  Corps  of  said  company.  It  would  afford  me 
very  great  pleasure  to  be  present,  and  mingle  with  others  in  the  cele- 
bration of  an  event  so  full  of  interest,  not  only  to  each  member 
of  this  most  ancient  and  honorable  company,  but  to  every  citizen 
of  the  state;  but  circumstances  beyond  my  control  will  prevent  me 


APPENDIX.  79 

from  availing  myself  of  the  privilege  of  being  present,  to  share  in  the 
festivities  of  this  interesting  occasion. 

Gentle-men,  expressing  to  you  my  profound   gratitude  for  your 
cordial  invitation,  I  have  the  honor  to  remain 
Your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  W.  HULL. 


New  Haven,  October  14,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT,  Secretary,  Hartford,  Conn.: 

It  would  afford  me  very  great  pleasure  to  be  able  to  accept 
the  cordial  invitation  of  your  committee  to  participate  with  them 
in  the  celebration  of  the  one  hundredth  anniversary  of  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  19th  instant,  —  an 
occasion  in  which  I  am  sure  every  citizen  of  the  state  will  feel  a  deep 
and  sincere  interest ;  but  the  calamities  which  have  befallen  the  beau- 
tiful city  of  Chicago,  where  I  have  a  large  part  of  my  family,  have  so 
deeply  exercised  me  the  last  week,  that  I  am  feeling  too  unwell,  and, 
in  fact,  "  out  of  heart,"  to  properly  enjoy  or  do  honor  to  such  an 
occasion. 

Hoping  that  the  "  Guard  "  may  continue  to  flourish  through  the 
century  into  which  they  are  about  to  enter  so  honorably,  and  that  the 
celebration  may  prove  such  a  success  as  will  gratify  the  heart  of  every 
member,  past  and  present,  I  remain 

Respectfully,  your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 

W.  S.  CHAKNLEY. 


Hartford,  October  16,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Mv  Dear  Sir,  —  Thanking  you  for  an  invitation  to  the  centennial 
anniversary  of  the  First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  &c.,  —  I 
beg  to  say,  that  the  unrelenting  exactions  of  present  business  engage- 
ments will  preclude  me  from  such  pleasure;  but  it  can  not  fail  to 
be  an  occasion  of  unwonted  interest,  and  I  wish  all  parties  present 
unalloyed  enjoyment,  and  an  ever-green  future  to  your  ancient  and 
veteran  corps.  Very  truly  yours, 

.1.  C.  WALKLEY. 


Hartford,  October  18,  1871. 
Major  L.  E.  HUNT: 

Dear  Sir,  —  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your, 
invitation  to  participate  in  the  celebration  of  the  First  Company  Gov- 
ernor's Foot  Guard's  centennial  anniversary,  October  19,  1871.  No- 


80  APPENDIX. 

thing  would  give  me  more  pleasure  than  to  meet  with  you  on  that 
occasion.  I  have  delayed  this  present  writing,  hoping  I  should 
be  able  to  do  so ;  but  I  am  obliged  to  be  away  from  the  city  the  rest 
of  the  week.  Knowing  the  occasion  will  be  one  of  great  interest, 
and  regretting  I  can  not  be  present, 

I  am  very  respectfully  yours, 

GEO.  D.  CHAPMAN. 


Hartford,  October  9,  1871. 

To  Major  CALVIN  DAY,  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Committee  of  Invita- 
tion, First  Company  Governor's  Foot  Guard: 

Dear  Sirs,  —  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  kind  invitation  to  be  present 
with  you  at  your  coming  centennial  anniversary.  Please  permit  me  to 
return  to  you  all  my  kindest  thanks  for  your  generous  invitation,  and 
to  assure  you  that  nothing  but  unavoidable  absence  from  town,  on  a 
western  journey,  will  keep  me  away  from  your  gathering. 

Trusting  that  your  celebration  may  be  pleasant  to  each  and  all 
of  those  who  participate  in  it,  and  with  all  possible  good  wishes  for 
the  Governor's  Foot  Guard,  I  remain 

Very  truly  yours, 

M.  E.  MKKIUU-. 


MUSTEK  KOLL 

OP  THE 

ty$t  <|<rmttmta  w*9*qwft 


OCTOBER    19-TH,    1871. 


COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 
WILLIAM  H.  DODD,  Major  Commandant. 
CHARLES  C.  OSBORN,  Captain  and  First  Lieutenant. 
JOHN  C.  PARSONS,  Second  Lieutenant. 
CHARLES  F.  NICHOLS,  Third  Lieutenant. 
WILLIAM  H.  TALCOTT,  Fourth  Lieutenant. 
O.  W.  OHAPPEE,  Ensign. 


NON-COMMISSIONED    OFFICERS. 


ALBERT  H.  WILEY,  First. 
WILLIAM  E.  EATON,  Second. 
ROLLIN  D.  BURDICK,  Third. 
SAMUEL  E.  HASCALL,  Fourth. 
CHARLES  E.  GILBERT,  Fifth. 
JAMES  S.  BARNETT,  Sixth. 
BENJAMIN  CUSHMAN,  Seventh. 
JOHN  D.  TUCKER,  Eighth. 


CORPORALS. 

JAMES  S.  COOK. 
FREDERIC  A.  HALL. 
JOHN  N.  STANDISH. 
JAMES  C.  PRATT. 
CHARLES  C.  STRONG. 
THOMAS  J.  LEWIS. 
ALFRED  BALCH. 
BENJAMIN  G.  HOPKINS. 


ALLEN,  WILLARD  A. 
AUGUR,  WILLIAM  C. 
BIDWELL,  SAMUEL  J. 
BULL,  Mil  AN  W. 
BLAKE,  GEORGE  W. 
BRAINARD,  EDWIN 
CHANDLER,  LEONIDAS  D. 
COWLES,  FRANK 
CLARK,  FAYETTE  C. 


PRIVATES. 

CLARK,  FRANK  W. 
COOK,  JOHN  FREDERIC 
CRANE,  CHARLES  L. 
COREY,  FRANK 
CUMMINGS,  CHARLES  H. 
COLT,  JOSEPH  S. 
DYER,  SAMUEL 
DONOVAN,  DENNIS  D. 
DOWNING,  JOHN  A. 


82 


MUSTER  ROLL. 


FOLEY,  DANIEL  J. 
FULLER,  ALBERT  B. 
FISHER,  CHARLES  A. 
FIELD,  ARBY  G. 
GREEN,  SYRENUS 
GOODELL,  HENRY  O. 
GRISWOLD,  CHARLES  D 
HILLMAN,  LEVI  N. 
HITCHCOCK,  HIRAM 
JACOBS,  HENRY  M. 
KING,  CHARLES  H. 
LATHROP,  WALTER  H. 
LEONARD,  CHARLES  B. 
LYMAN,  GEORGE  B. 
MORAN,  THOMAS 
McCoNViLLE,  W.  JOHN 
NEWTON,  DDANE  E. 


PRIVATES — CONCLUDED. 

NAEDELE,  THEODORE  C. 
PRIDE,  WILLIAM 
REID,  JOHN  F. 
SMITH,  JOSEPH  M. 
SMITH,  EDWIN 
SLOAN,  ADRIAN  P. 
SWEENY,  FRANCIS  H. 
STEBBINS.  MILTON  W. 
SPILLER,  HERMAN 
TRUMBULL,  JAMES  P. 
TAYLOR,  GEORGE  W. 
TROTTER,  R.  R. 
WOLCOTT,  ARTHUR  H. 
WOLCOTT,  FRANK  N. 
WESTLAND,  WILLIAM 
WELLS,  WILLIAM  B. 
WADSWORTH,  WILLIAM  S. 


CIVIL  OFFICERS. 


FINANCIAL      COMMITTEE 

WILLIAM  H.  DODD,          CHARLES  C.  OSBORN, 
WM.  H.  TALCOTT,  CHAS.  F.  NICHOLS, 

CHAS.  C.  STRONG. 


JOHN  C.  PARSONS, 
O.  W.  CHAFFEE, 


INVESTIGATING     COMMITTEE, 

CHARLES  C.  OSBORN,       CHARLES  F.  NICHOLS,      A.  H.  WILEY, 
WILLIAM  E.  EATON,         SAMUEL  E.  HASCALL,       JOHN  D.  TUCKER, 
SYRENUS  GREEN. 

AUDITING    COMMITTEE, 
JOHN  C.  PARSONS,  JOHN  D.  TUCKER. 

TREASURER, 

CHARLES  C.  STRONG. 

RECORDING      SECRETARY, 

WILLIAM  E.  EATON. 

»  CLERK, 

CHARLES  C    OSBORN. 

COLLECTOR, 

CHARLES  F.  NICHOLS. 


A     000023279     3 


